Following hot on the heels of a federal disaster declaration for Gulf of Alaska pink salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has issued a Copper River forecast for 2017 that anticipates this year’s king salmon run would tie 2016 as the lowest since 1980.
The 2017 king salmon run forecast of 29,000 fish is approximately 34,000 less than the 18-year average run of 63,000, said ADF&G.
Local reports have highlighted that the Copper River king salmon run is not much more than the minimum escapement goal of 24,000 and, after accounting for the sport and subsistence harvest, that would allow for a commercial harvest of just 3,500.
While forecasts have been wrong in the past, a low supply is likely to drive king salmon prices further upwards. According to the Alaska Journal of Commerce, the average ex-vessel price for Copper River king salmon was USD 9.50 (8.88) per pound last year, which was USD 3 (EUR 2.80) per pound more than in the year before.
With regard to the poor pink salmon harvest, the Alaskan fishermen that targeted the species may receive funding following outgoing Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker’s disaster declaration for the season. The total state harvest was the lowest since the late 1970s, with the pink catches in Kodiak, Prince William Sound, Chignik and lower Cook Inlet well below forecast.
The Commerce Department attributed the failings to “unusual ocean and climate conditions,” highlighting that in recent years, each of the nine fisheries had experienced sudden and unexpected large decreases in fish stock biomass.
Alaska Governor Bill Walker said the impacts of low pink salmon runs were being felt across the entire Gulf of Alaska.
In addition to commercial fishermen and fish processors, those who sell fuel, tackle, supplies, groceries and lodging are also struggling from the poor season. Local governments will also feel the burden on their economic base, he said.
