Harvests of highly prized Copper River red salmon were slow in the first opener on May 22, and doubled in numbers in the second opener on May 26, but state biologists say the next few openers will tell the real story of whether the fishery is tracking as forecast.
Preliminary data posted on May 26 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) showed a total harvest of 80,089 red salmon – including 27,020 from the first opener and 52,260 from the second opener.
“It’s too early to say if the run is late,” said Jerey Botz, a biologist with the ADF&G at their Cordova office. “Maybe it is a little late, but it could be smaller than expected. We need a few more periods to see what develops.”
ADF&G estimated the average weight of the reds at five pounds.
For drift gillnetter Nelly Hand, who owns Drifters Fish in Cordova with her spouse Michael Hand, Monday was a good day nonetheless.
“The sockeye were looking like a bigger size,” she said.
She added that demand was good among their company’s customers, including restaurants in Washington, Oregon and California. The decision of the Alaska Board of Fisheries to delay the first opener by a week this year has not hurt the commercial fleet in Cordova, she said.
“We’re doing pretty good,” said Rich Wheeler of 60° North Seafood. “We’re hoping for a wonderful king escapement, but the reds are looking great. It’s been progressing nicely.”
Wheeler did acknowledge, however, that his company is currently dealing with price conscious wholesale buyers.
Exvessel prices to fishermen for the first opener were about $7.35 a pound for sockeyes.
In addition, retail Copper River red sales were going well in Anchorage.
At 10th & M Seafoods, a major Anchorage seafood market, retail prices for sockeyes ranged from $26.95 a pound for whole headed and gutted fish to $34.95 a pound for fillets.
The company received nearly 500 pounds of red salmon from the first opener and more was anticipated from the second opener on May 28.
At New Sagaya, which also has two locations in Anchorage, fresh Copper River reds were selling for $35.99 for whole headed and gutted fish and $37.99 for fillets.
Fishmongers at Fred Meyer supermarkets said they expected to have fresh Copper River reds on sale as of May 28 but did not know what the price would be.
