The Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery goes on two hour notice on March 20 at 8 a.m. That means a fishery could be opened at any time by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with two hours notice to commercial fishermen.
This year, the guideline harvest level for the fishery is the highest in history at 81,000 tons – 20% of the department’s forecast for the mature herring population, also known as biomass. But a limited market and lower industry participation means the commercial fishery won’t meet the guideline harvest level. Last year, the fishery harvested around 11,000 tons, just one-third of what the state allowed.
According to a Fish and Game press release, one test set conducted on Monday afternoon in the Mountain Point area yielded fish weighing 149 grams on average with just over nine percent mature roe. ADF&G conducted aerial surveys over the weekend, and while they observed no spawn, herring were spotted on March 16 near Low Island.
ADF&G’s research vessel, the Kestrel, will arrive in Sitka on March 20. Tonight (3-19-24) from 5:30 to 7, ADF&G will hold an industry meeting on Zoom, and the department will share its management plan for the 2024 fishery. The meeting is open to the public.
Link to Zoom meeting
