The State of Alaska has recently released preliminary estimates for final Bristol Bay sockeye prices harvested in the 2020 season and first wholesale sales of primary product forms through April 2021. These data allow for a reasonable approximation of total fishery value and allocation between the harvesting and processing sectors, and provide clues about ex-vessel pricing in 2021.

The 2021 Bristol Bay sockeye harvest stands at 33.5 million fish through July 13. The harvest was 2.41 million fish yesterday, which is about 670,000 fish higher than the average July 13 harvest.

The 2021 Bristol Bay sockeye harvest stands at 31.0 million fish through July 12. The harvest was 2.35 million fish yesterday, which is about 550,000 fish higher than the average July 12 harvest and bigger than any July 12th harvest registered in each of the past five years.

The 2021 Bristol Bay sockeye harvest stands at 28.7 million fish through July 11. In general, the pace of harvests has softened over the past several days (except Ugashik). However, some big Port Moller catches have been registered within the past week, so the expectation is that there’s still plenty of harvest yet to come.

The 2021 Bristol Bay sockeye harvest stands at 26.7 million fish through July 10.

The Bristol Bay sockeye harvest stands at 25.1 million fish through July 9.

Starting today, BBRSDA is providing current harvest data and context for our fleet, marketing partners, and media members.

Yesterday’s harvest of 1,773,000 sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay’s Nushagak District was the largest single-day harvest ever recorded, narrowly eclipsing the previous record set on June 30, 2018.

BRISTOL BAY, Alaska. June 30, 2021 - Retailers across the U.S. are gearing up to bring fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon to eager customers this summer. Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon’s marketing program has set up promotions in 10 retail chains.

Early indicators are pointing to yet another strong year in the massive Bristol Bay sockeye fishery, which is contrasted against the continued struggles in many of the state’s other large salmon fisheries (image credit: Alaska Journal of Commerce).

This season, the Port Moller Test Fishery has a new genetic testing lab on board the R/V Ocean Cat. Researchers say the lab is the first of its kind.

The first episode of Waypoints Radio, which aired June 24, featured special guest Robert Reierson from Tradex Foods, who joined BBRSDA's Michael Jackson and Andy Wink to discuss current market conditions, and also provided information about how fishermen can help BBRSDA meet its mission of creating a more valuable fishery.

Oregon’s NOAA CARES round two process will include measures for fishing businesses home-based in Oregon but operating in out-of-state fisheries.

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA), the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), and the Seafood Harvesters of America (SHA) applaud the hard work of Senators Hassan (D-NH), Murkowski (R-AK), Sullivan (R-AK), and others to elevate mask mandate concerns for commercial fishing vessels to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Businesses join tribes and fishermen in the call for long-term protection of Bristol Bay

Bristol Bay salmon have never, in recorded history, been more abundant. Sadly, harvests of sockeye, coho, and Chinook in other areas are lower than at any point since at least the early 1980s. NOW is the time to enact long-term protections for Bristol Bay salmon! Read on to learn more.

Take the time for vessel safety with dockside exams from the coast guard (June 14-25) and drill conductor classes from AMSEA in Naknek (June 10, 11) & Dillingham (June 12,13).

I will be gathering surveys from fishermen before and after the season, and will have some swag for those who complete the survey. However, it would be great if fishermen could fill out the survey online using the links below, depending upon what best describes your role in the Bristol Bay drift gillnet fishery:

BBRSDA’s annual processor survey, prepared by Northern Economics, gathers prior season information from Bristol Bay processors. This survey captures raw product data, finished product forms, chilled product volumes and quality impact, ice production capacity, and respondents’ opinions of trends and priorities within the fishery. Read all about the state of Bristol Bay salmon quality in the report HERE.

The member meeting on 5/22 was recorded. Check it out for sockeye market outlook, BBRSDA program updates, and COVID procedures and policies.