Strong Pink Salmon Returns in PWS Carry Statewide Harvests Beyond Forecasts
Another 14 million salmon were harvested across Alaska since last Friday. This has increased the state’s total summer harvest well above the pre-season forecast to 234.9 million fish. A stronger-than-expected pink salmon return of 93.5 million fish from PSW has helped push up the state catch beyond expectations. ADF&G’s pre-season forecast for pinks statewide was 140.3 million fish. The current statewide total of 165.6 million pinks, with harvests still ongoing, could reach 170 million before the season concludes.
Lobster harvesters in Prince Edward Island are reporting better prices and demand three weeks into the fall harvest. As of midday Monday, prices were reported $5 per pound for canners and $5.50 per pound for markets according to the PEI Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA). “Everything is really in favor of the fishermen,” said Craig Avery, PEIFA President. “The demand right now for any good quality lobsters in the live market is strong. And if they are a little bit weak when they do come, in there’s no problem because the meat market is strong.”
In other news India’s Fisheries Department wants to double the available space for shrimp farms in Andhra Pradesh to 6,000 hectares. The effort will start with reviving abandoned ponds as soon as this year officials with the Department said.
Finally, the Fraser River’s sockeye salmon return is about a third of what scientists had forecast. A report from the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat (FRAFS) estimated a run of 2.4 million salmon, more than 60 percent below the pre-season forecast. "First Nations are disappointed. This is going to cause some real hardships for those who rely on the sockeye runs as their main source of protein," said FRAFS spokesman Walter Quinlan.
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