The Alaska summer harvest season for wild salmon opens this week, with predictions indicating a major increase over last year’s catch.
The season begins with king and sockeye salmon in the Copper River. Other openings will happen through the summer. According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), there is a projected harvest this year of 179 million fish. If that turns out to be correct, ASMI said that will be a 40 percent increase from the 127.1 million fish caught last year, and will be the eighth largest Alaska salmon season on record.
Alaska salmon is made up of five species. Most of it is caught during summer openings, but one species, Alaska troll-caught king salmon, is harvested year-round.
To coincide with the new season, ASMI is unveiling a new website, www.wildalaskaflavor.com, to promote Alaska salmon and other seafood products from Alaska.
