The Alaska salmon harvest in Prince William Sound soared to 18 million fish, while the total statewide harvest reached 77 million fish as of 19 July.
Across the state, 45 million red, 19.3 million pink, 12.5 million chum, 520,000 coho and 222,000 Chinook salmon have been harvested as of 19 July, The Cordova Times reported.
So far, 12.4 million pink salmon have been harvested in Prince William Sound, followed by 4.3 million chum, 1.1 million sockeye, 13,000 king and around 1,000 silver salmon, according to preliminary data from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
In the Prince William Sound general seine fishery, 12.7 million salmon have been landed, including more than 11 million pink salmon, 1.6 million chum, 44,000 reds and 1,000 cohos.
“The 5-year odd-year average (2007 to 2015) cumulative PWS pink salmon harvest…through July 20 is 18.3 million fish,” the ADF&G said in its 2017 Inseason Alaksa Commercial Salmon Summary.
In the Copper River District, around 553,000 fish have been harvested, including 520,000 sockeye, 13,000 king, 11,000 chum, and 9,000 pink salmon.
The total pink salmon harvest forecast for 2017 is 43 million fish, with a range of between 27 million and 59 million.
“In general, pink salmon escapement and harvest are below average in Southern Southeast Alaska districts and above average in Northern Southeast Alaska districts,” ADF&G said.
