ADF&G biologist Dave Gordon disembarks from a float plane after an aerial survey of Sitka Sound in 2014, headed for the state research vessel, the Kestrel. (KCAW photo/Rachel Waldholz)
It’s that time again.
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game has begun its first survey flights over Sitka Sound, in preparation for the 2015 sac roe herring fishery.
The Department conducted its first aerial survey on Tuesday (3-10-15). Biologists spotted predators, including whales and sea lions, but saw no herring and no herring spawn.
Fish & Game reported sighting about 300 sea lions near Inner Point, and another 200 off Bieli Rock, and found several whales in Eastern Channel and near the mouth of Silver Bay. That distribution of predators is “normal for this date,” the Department said.
Fish & Game has forecast a harvest level of just over 8,700 tons for the 2015 fishery. The Department will adjust that target once it gets the results from the winter test fishery, which took place earlier this month. The updated harvest level will be announced by March 16.
Unless the target is revised dramatically, it will be the lowest quota in a decade. Herring fishermen are also looking at dramatically lower prices than in years past, and this year’s sac roe fishery will likely be conducted as a co-op among all the permit-holders, which is highly unusual.
Fish & Game will conduct its next survey flight on Friday, March 13. The Department plans to take its first test samples, to check the percentage of mature roe, around March 15.
