Sitka herring near 10-year average for spawn miles

SITKA (AP) — Sitka Sound herring spawn measured close to the 10-year average for spawn miles, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Spawn miles are a measure of shoreline. The spawn from the massive congregations of herring turns the water white along shorelines white and can be detected from the air. Spawn miles are one of the figures that the department uses to determine the spawning biomass, along with width of spawn and egg deposition.

The department measured spawn at 61.4 nautical miles, more than five miles above the 55.9 miles recorded in 2012 and slightly under the recen...