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Researcher Elena Eberhardt in Lake Iliamna./Courtesy of: Elena EberhardtThe baywide catch is currently at 33 million sockeye. The total run is 46 million fish. That’s 90% of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's preseason forecast.Researchers plan to run experiments at Lake Iliamna this summer, trying to better understand the relationship between sockeye salmon, and a small, spiky fish called three-spined stickleback. And, KDLG checks in with Area Management Biologist Tim Sands. -
Courtesy of: Elena EberhardtThree-spined sticklebacks are small, green and brown fish with spines that run along their backs. In Lake Iliamna in the Bristol Bay region, three-spined sticklebacks eat the same plankton that juvenile sockeye salmon rely on to grow.This year, researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks plan to run some experiments there to better understand sockeye’s small, spiky competition, and if warming waters might give them a competitive advantage.
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Port Moller catch indices are declining, while catch and escapement remains consistent across the bay. However, while sockeye in the Nushagak river are still swimming strong, the sonar picked up not a single king yesterday. -
The daily catch for Naknek-Kvichak surpassed a million yesterday for the first time this season, and their total run succeeded 10 million. Port Moller is keeping up their steady harvest and hints further that the run is likely to be larger than expected.
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Both Naknek-Kvichak and Nushagak fleets nearly hit a million for their daily catch on Saturday, and yesterday’s Port Moller indices report a puzzling low number for the Nushagak River.
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It’s easy to throw a can or bottle in the bin and never think about it again, but for fishing net recyclers in Bristol Bay, drop-off is just the first step in the recycling process. In Dillingham, a backlog of used fishing nets poses a challenge for local recycling programs. -
On June 28, Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to a report of an overturned commercial fishing boat in the Ugashik district, near Pilot Point. All three of the people onboard were rescued, as reported by KDLG. That same week, deckhands fell overboard in the Naknek River and in the Egegik district. Both were rescued by nearby crews. -
The salmon run continues its steady push into all districts, while crews persist in their fishing and await this year’s season peak. Port Moller makes predictions on when that peak could be, and how long the run will be substantial.
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Nushagak’s catch yesterday surpassed a million, as all other districts carry on with their hauls, still pulling in a steady load while the bay-wide run surpasses 20 million.
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Eastside catch numbers steadily increase as crews are facing more and more fish coming their way, and Port Moller makes predictions on when the Kvichak will see a huge increase. More sockeye continue their flood into the Nushagak, but king numbers appear worryingly low.
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Ecologist Curry Cunningham says the run will include a higher percentage of older, larger fish. -
The Nushagak region opened to commercial fishing last week, with fleets bringing in almost 3 million fish so far. Baywide, the total catch is 4.6 million. Bristol Bay saw a record low average weight for sockeye last year, but researchers predict that this season, the average fish will be bigger and heavier. We hear from ecologist Curry Cunningham about why he’s expecting larger sockeye.
