Fish Factor

State fishery managers project a lower Alaska salmon harvest this year, due to an expected decrease in those hard to predict pinks.

The total catch forecast by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game is 132 million salmon, down 25% from the 177 million fish taken in 2011.

The statewide breakdown is 120,000 Chinook salmon (in areas outside Southeast, where catches are dictated by treaty with Canada); 38.4 million sockeye salmon, a decline of 4%; 4.3 million coho (similar to last year); 19 million chums, 12% higher; and 70.2 million pinks, a 40% decrease.

Each year’s annual report on salmon harvest pr...