Sockeye runs have been around or exceeding historic averages but Chinook salmon runs are worrying fisheries managers in the Haines area.
“The forecast was for 2,800 (chinook). At this point, I’d be surprised if we made that number” said biologist Brian Elliott of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “It’s a little disappointing.”
Elliott said models suggested a stronger-than-usual run this year. Chinook generally return to spawn after five years feeding in the ocean. Last year’s data showed a strong run of four-year-old king salmon returned up the Chilkat River, and forecasting models suggested five-year-olds from the same brood year would be strong. Instead, he said the run of five-year-olds has been sluggish, based on preliminary data.
“Maybe they came back early, maybe there’s some marine mortality we can’t account for at this point,” he said. “It’s hard to say right now until our data’s in.”
Sockeye returns have been relatively strong, meanwhile. About 34,000 sockeye had passed through Chilkoot River weir, while about 15,000 sockeye had passed through the weir at Chilkat Lake. Commercial boats have been taking an average catch.
“Overall, the harvest has been pretty decent,” said Nicole Zeiser, the Haines area management biologist. She said she’s been extending the openings by up to 48 hours and increasing the area boats are allowed to fish in.
Still, the runs haven’t been enough to attract a large number of commercial boats. Last week, 125 permit holders fished, compared to the 10-year average of 150. Managers speculated the reason was low prices: Haines Packing Company was paying just $1 per pound for sockeye, half of last year’s price.
Commercial fishermen got a small piece of good news last week though, when Haines Packing bumped up the price by 15 cents. Harry Rietze said the company has been able to keep up with demand despite fewer boats fishing than usual.