Monday, April 4, 2011

Bristol Bay processors: We can handle 'em

Salmon processors say they can handle the 28.5 million sockeye gillnetters are expected to catch this summer at Bristol Bay.

And more.

That's the upshot of the Department of Fish and Game's annual processing capacity survey.

Near as Deckboss can remember, the processors always say they have enough capacity to deal with Bristol Bay's sockeye hordes.

But much depends on how evenly the salmon enter the fishing grounds.

The survey indicates the processors collectively can handle a little over 2 million fish per day.

If the run is heavy and catches exceed that level, especially on consecutive days, processors often must limit their purchases until they can work the excess fish through their plants.

This, in turn, can set off howls of protest from fishermen asked to sit idle just when the fish are running thickest. To them, it's money swimming up the river.

Anyway, for more details, read the survey. It's a quick eight pages.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't for the life of me figure out why the state issues a run forecast, THEN ask the processors to estimate what they think they will be able to handle. Does that not sound backward to anyone else?

Anonymous said...

Seems a little twisted. Wouldn't it be possible to estimate processing capacity based off of previous history alone?

Taqukaq said...

No, if the processors expand their holding and processing capabilities the number has a tendency to grow, if one of them shuts down, the number can drop.

Anonymous said...

the processors always claim they can handle the huge runs. this annual claim is logged w/state and has been used as a legal tool against the state and any foreign buyers who seek to buy excess fish. this stinks because limits clearly prove the claims are bogus, and the state continues to do nothing. the russians and koreans both have been turned away and this bs was one of the reasons.

Anonymous said...

What, lots of fish swimming up the rivers - doesn't anyone else besides the boys in Cook Inlet cry about the fears of over escapement???

Anonymous said...

the over escapement and concerns of ADFG biologists are not addressed publicly over Fear of job loss. you know the processors hold the ADFG puppet strings right? just look at the current herring opener for one example, no fishing until the processors say they are ready.

Anonymous said...

Well it seems there is a maximum per day processing capacity for the larger at-sea processing facilities. Seems the length of the season could be directly affected by this. More processors entering the playing field would mean a shorter season and less fish for these larger processors. Wonder how much fuel they're burning with those large generators (not to mention how much fuel they burn steaming up there)? If they don't get all the fish can they even afford to operate? If fisherman don't get better prices can they afford to operate?

Anonymous said...

And the BOF's proposal for this secret reporting standard?
Perceptions always trump Facts, As reported in 1891 by Lt. Commander Z.L. Tanner, U.S. Navy for the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer "Albatross" at Ft. Alexander, on the Nushigak

"...infected with parasites, all of which is soon apparant from the general condition of the victims...."

And the lowest prices paid since 1890, everyone always needs another study, after flunking that 3rd grade math class.

Anonymous said...

^^^^Huh????^^^^

Anonymous said...

He means to say that the price of fish has been fixed since 1890 and we are now seeing some of the lowest prices on record, adjusted for inflation. He also means that you don't need another survey because you couldn't understand the last one.

roger?

Anonymous said...

Just our annual Lucy telling Charlie brown that she won't move the football as he ties to kick it charade. It must be spring