U.S. pink salmon catch falls 63%, sockeye salmon catch rises against trend

The article highlights a significant decline in pink salmon catches in Alaska in 2024 compared to 2022, with numbers dropping to about 12.6 million from 34.6 million. This trend is observed across various regions, including Prince William Sound and Kodiak, with catching activities also seeing a decrease in boat numbers. Despite this, pink salmon numbers are not the only story; sockeye salmon catches have shown improvements in some areas, like Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, leading to the best fishing season since 2019. Overall, the sockeye salmon catch in Alaska meets the forecasted expectations, with a total of 39.8 million sockeye salmon caught to date.

MRG's data compares catches from 2024 to 2022, because pink salmon have genetic differences between odd and even years. A total of 34.6 million pink salmon were caught in Alaska in 2022, while only about 12.6 million have been caught so far this year. The decline was particularly pronounced in some areas where salmon have traditionally been abundant. For example, pink salmon catches in Prince William Sound have dropped 73% from 2022, from 24 million in 2022 to 6.4 million this year. The Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife (ADFG) attributed the decline in Prince William Sound's catch to a decrease in salmon numbers and a decrease in the number of boats involved in the catch. Similarly, catches in the Kodiak region have dropped significantly by 72%, from 15.5 million in 2022 to 4.2 million this year. ADFG noted that a decrease in the number of boats involved in the catch may also be one of the reasons for the decline in catches in the region. As of July 28 this year, the ...