According to Alaska State Troopers, most of the violations are occurring in areas that are currently closed, and additional troopers are being brought in from Kodiak and other parts of western Alaska for this special enforcement period.
The Bristol Bay sockeye salmon industry brings in approximately $2.2 billion every year. This season, over 1,500 commercial fishing boats are registered in the bay, all vying for the 2024 catch. In a surprising move, Silver Bay Seafoods set a pre-season price for Bristol Bay sockeye. They announced that fishers bringing chilled fish to their processing facility would earn $1.10 per pound, with an additional bonus for bled fish.
In 2023, a price collapse hit commercial salmon fishers across Alaska. On average, they were paid less than half of what they received in 2022. Some in the Bristol Bay fishing fleet were only getting 50 cents per pound for sockeye, leaving many infuriated.
Last week, as the sockeye run gained momentum, Alaska State Troopers reported 21 fishing violations around Bristol Bay. While some citations were for incorrect markings on vessels and gear, most were issued to fishers harvesting in closed waters or during a closed period. Most citations were reported in the Nushagak District, with the rest mainly in the Egegik and Naknek/Kvichak Districts.
As more people are commercial fishing, Alaska State Troopers continue to patrol the waters, skies, and land. They want to ensure that folks are fishing fairly and staying in legal areas.
Alaska State Troopers remind everyone to keep an eye on the open and closed periods, pay attention to your GPS to avoid drifting into closed waters, and be courteous to your fellow fishers. The same rules apply to everyone.