A preliminary estimate of Alaska''s 2010 commercial salmon harvest shows that 168.6 million salmon were netted, the 11th largest harvest since statehood, generating $533.9 million (€392.1 million) - the highest price to fishermen since statehood.
The increase continues a strong recovery trend from the low salmon prices of 2002, and the final 2010 prices overall may be higher yet, once post-season adjustments and end-of-season bonuses are paid to fishermen, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in a preliminary summary.
Bristol Bay and Prince William Sound, accounted for 55% of the total value of all salmon harvested.
Bristol Bay's sockeye salmon harvest of 28.6 million fish was the 11th largest since statehood. Even though the 2010 sockeye salmon catch was 2.3 million fish less than the 2009 catch, the value to fishermen of $148.7 million (€109.2 million) was $4.5 million (€3.3 million) higher than the 2009 value, state officials said.
Prince William Sound set a record with a harvest of 75.4 million salmon, comprising 44.5% of all salmon harvested in Alaska this season. Even more impressive is the 69 million pink salmon harvest, biologists said. This is a record high harvest for Prince William Sound, and accounted for 66% of Alaska's total 2010 pink salmon harvest.
The statewide chum salmon harvest of 18.2 million fish ranks as the 8th best harvest since statehood, with the ex-vessel value of $92.7 million (€68.1 million) being the second highest value for a chum salmon harvest since 1975.
[Source: The Cordova Times]
