Fisheries

The Togiak District in Bristol Bay edged past the bottom end of its escapement goal late in July. The mark was reached just days after the rule prohibiting fisherman to transfer to Togiak from other districts was lifted.

Wild Alaskan Salmon and Seafood is a small-scale processing plant in Naknek. It focuses on quality, as most of the fish is caught by owner Tony Wood and then processed by his 'family-like' crew.

FRI scientists are walking Hansen creek everyday for ecological studies. Hansen is part of the Wood River system which housed a total escapement of more than four million sockeye this season.

A beluga whale was harvested Sunday evening near Dillingham. It was the whole hunting party’s first time to take a beluga. 

State investigating claims of workplace health, safety violations after record setting catches strained Bristol Bay's processors and workforce. But so far, only Silver Bay has drawn state's attention.

Redline is the sole taxi service in the Bristol Bay Borough. It is the main transportation method for many summer fishery workers. KDLG's Caitlin Tan rode along Saturday night during Fishtival weekend.

Annual post-fishing party in Naknek full of great music, parades, and history as community, fleet toast another successful Bristol Bay season.

Longtime Bristol Bay fisherman Hector Sanchez of f/v El Nayar hauled in more salmon than ever this year, and it was his daughter Toni Sanchez's first year as a crew member.

Sam Mercurio skippers the f/v Quick Silver, a Bristol Bay drift boat fishing for Alaska General Seafoods. He is also part-owner of a Italian seafood restaurant in Monterey, California called Domenico’s On the Wharf.

After a historically dismal year for pinks, both in the sound and statewide, this year's run seems to be shaping up to meet expectations, and even on an odd year will soon surpass last year's total catch.

Reuben Hastings, Kvichak Aspelund, and Riley Lyon are three of more than a dozen graduates of the Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy working in the industry this summer. While it is much different than commercial fishing, taking clients to Bristol Bay's world famous trout streams and king salmon rivers is good work, pays well, and can open a world of possibilities right in local kids' backyard.

With the end of a season comes reflection, anticipation of prices and prep for next year. Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association board member Larry Christensen offered thoughts while he was tied up for some quick repairs last week.

The salmon run is slowing up a bit in the Naknek-Kvichak, but it’s not over yet. The openers are on fall hours now, which keeps beach tenders busy collecting fish all day long.

Mother Nature sent way more sockeye back to Bristol Bay than was expected, and many fishermen recorded their top seasons ever. As other fisheries fall short, the market is eager for all the fish the Bay can provide, so the fleet goes home with a better price, too. The ex-vessel value may be the highest since early 90s.