The Alaska Department of Fish & Game has scheduled a fourth — and possibly final — commercial herring seine opening for 1:30 PM Saturday afternoon in Sitka Sound.
This is an hour later than the start time previously announced. Biologist Dave Gordon reports that the net used by the Department’s research vessel Kestrel became seriously fouled this morning, causing the hour-long setback.
The approximate area of the opening is the waters of Eastern Channel, between the Rocky Patch and Jamestown Bay, to the south of town. As with the last opener, fishing activity should be easily seen from the Sitka road system.
2,900 tons remain in this year’s commercial harvest target. With active spawn increasing in the Sound, Gordon is hoping seiners land the entire balance this afternoon.
