Fewer salmon this year

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has posted its statewide salmon forecast, and it calls for a much smaller salmon harvest this year.

A reduced catch could be just what the doctor ordered with the processing sector struggling. Those troubles could crimp prices for fishermen, but a tighter supply of fish might help boost demand.

Forecasters expect a commercial catch of nearly 136 million fish across all species. That would be a big drop from the 2023 total of 232 million.

The statewide sockeye harvest is projected at 39.5 million fish, with 26 million coming from Bristol Bay. That compares to last year's take of 52 million sockeye statewide, with Bristol Bay accounting for 40.6 million.

The pink salmon forecast of 69 million fish is less than half of last year's catch of 155 million.

Headwinds for board appointees

United Fishermen of Alaska is opposing Curtis Chamberlain and Märit Carlson-Van Dort for the state Board of Fisheries. Here's the letter.

More trouble for Peter Pan Seafood

Wells Fargo Bank has filed a petition to appoint a receiver. The action is pending in King County Superior Court.

USCG chaplain removed due to 'loss of confidence'

Here's a brief press release.

Trident closes sale of Ketchikan plant to Silver Bay

Here's the press release.

The little blue label

The Alaska salmon fishery first qualified for the Marine Stewardship Council's blue ecolabel in 2000, and has achieved recertification a number of times since.

The current certification expires on May 11, and the fishery appears well on its way toward earning another five-year extension.

Alaska salmon producers consider the ecolabel important for accessing certain markets.

But Canadian conservation groups are objecting to recertification of Alaska salmon fisheries.

Owner, captains of crab vessels charged

Details in this press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.