KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Kodiak herring fishery is underway. Managers predict a robust year with healthy roe count and plentiful fish. But the price for herring roe has dropped and so has participation.
Kodiak fisherman Oliver Holm has been fishing herring for more than 30 years, missing only a single season since 1979. But this year he’s stayed on shore.
— herring 1 :23 "Well the market conditions … we brought to the dock."
Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports only eight seiners are fishing this year. And only two processors are buying. Compare that to last year when there were 36 seiners, seven gill netters and five processors buying the roe that’s exported to Asia.
James Jackson is the area management biologist in Kodiak.
— herring 2 :20 "I think the reason … more consistent markets."
One of the processors that is buying this year is Western Alaska Fisheries. Operations Manager Gabriel Saravia says this year’s price is about half since last year.
— herring 3 :11 "Well the market is … $200 a ton maybe."
That’s compared to about $400 a ton last year. Sitka had a strong haul this year and expectations ran high after last year’s ex-vessel value topped $12 million.
Herring fisherman Chip Treinen (try-nen) of the Sitka Herring Association says there’s still no word on price but fishermen continue to hope for the best.
— herring 4 :10 "People are going to realize … in this herring market."
Treinen says he fished Kodiak last year but is sitting this season out. He predicts skippers in Kodiak will have to make some large hauls and says he didn’t want to crowd the field.
— herring 5 :11 "I guess if you can … too many pieces."
Market forces aside, Jackson says the Kodiak herring fishery is looking healthy and strong.
— herring 6 :22 "We’ve had really good … the entire GHL."
This year’s guideline harvest level for Kodiak is more than 6,000 tons. But as Jackson points out, with few companies buying much of it may stay in the water. The season traditionally ends in mid-May.
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