Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Bristol Bay forecast: 17.5 million sockeye

Looks like Bristol Bay can expect another relatively small sockeye salmon catch in 2014.

The harvest is projected at 17.48 million fish, says the forecast from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

This season produced a catch of 15.4 million sockeye on a forecast of 16.6 million.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Will be interesting with Silver Bay hoping to come in and buy 20-30 million lbs in a fishery with harvest levels at least last year that was under processing capabilities by at least 10 million fish.

Anonymous said...

That's if SB's plant ever operates...

Anonymous said...

Exactly. I hear they are still working on financing for the 2013 pink settlements. Must be hard to come up with another $40 million for a big plant in the Bay.

Anonymous said...

Too much processing capacity 4:46? Like a Board generated proposal dealing with processing capacity surveys? (7-0 including Vince Webster?)

Been with the Seattle Seven long?

Anonymous said...

Now, now. Even a gilnetter like yourself can see the problem with an over capitalized fishery in terms of processing. You of course realize that this good competition will drive grounds price higher but put the responsibility of delivering a good product clearly on the deck of the BB fisherman. Sadly, 75% of the BB fleet continues to abuse their catch holding back sockeye prices across the state.

Anonymous said...

this was predictable, like so many others..sbs will go down. you cannot come into hostile territory without taking a hit or two.

Anonymous said...

6:45? Like delivering a van load of #3's, marked as #1's from a processor from Seattle?

Sadly, delivery by the same Seattle Seven continues to hold back sockeye prices across the world.

Fact's can always confuse the 99%

Anonymous said...

The Silver Bay plant is nearly done....and more desire for fish is never a bad thing.....keep in mind the Bristol Bay processors have been making a profit every year on these so called "bad" sockeye.

Anonymous said...

Done vs Operating Capital are 2 very different things. SBS is cash poor and that will be a problem going into the rich BB fishery. Fishermen beware.

Anonymous said...

All we need is four more fishermens co-ops and be done with the over profiteering privates.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully, someone will eventually file some sort of class-action against Trident for intentionally drving up pink prices to put SBS out of business. Just a thought...

Anonymous said...

5:58, how would that put SBS out of business? The company is basically owned by it's fishermen right? Wouldn't those high pink prices just serve to benefit the owners of the company?

Anonymous said...

Anyone that believes a fishermen's co-op can come in to alaska..take production away from the big boys and banks, who control the marketplace in the usa and overseas is crazy, and unwilling to believe it. This whole thing SBS has done is going to play perfectly into the majors hands, they will get the plants, the boats and the fish..at the price they want to pay. Nothing changes. Except for some upgrades to infastructure.

Anonymous said...

5:58, price fixing lawsuits have never won in court. SBS is about to be schooled in the art of war.

Anonymous said...

Anybody know the final pink price in the sound from trident? Inquiring minds want to know....

Anonymous said...

File a class action for paying too much for fish?? are you saying that if SBS is cash poor as a result of their own actions then other processors should pay less for fish until SBS is back on their feet?

Anonymous said...

IMO, any gill netter selling to SBS needs to have their head examined!

Anonymous said...

I don't know were all you sbs bashers fish but if we don't get more competition nothing will change.They had no problem getting a fleet of real fishermen. So I hope all you company men keep drinking the coolaid.

Anonymous said...

7:01 must have been at the meeting........Only an idiot would think SBS will be bad for Bristol Bay, even if they didn't buy in...I know plenty of fisherman that are happy to take their $1.50 base price and thank SBS for giving the majors a reason to treat their fisherman well last year. It's good for everybody weather you bought in or not. Stop trying to put a negative spin on splitting up the processor pie, and enjoy the fact that your cannery will appreciate you more now that they have less boats.

Anonymous said...

11:23,"the art of war"????.....that war would mean higher prices, how is that a bad thing? If that what it takes to raise prices then sit back and enjoy those prices, and shut the heck up!

Anonymous said...

7:33 how are you so sure SBS is so short on cash?

Anonymous said...

Let's see:

- Cant pay SE seiners in full after 2013 pink harvest
- Cant currently afford BB plant, asking fishermen to delay fish pay for 2014 in BB.
- Currently have 300 containers of pinks sitting in China doing nothing.
- Currently has a year of adulterated hatchery roe unsold in Asia.
- And Mr Denkinger swiftly going from bank to bank in September looking for funding.

Anonymous said...

The only way Silver Bay can fail in the bay, is if they do not get production. If Icicle can stay in business with their debacle up there last season, anybody can.
Silver Bay will get their production, and will be considered a major in good time. ANYBODY, especially Alaskans, who sells to Trident, is a traitor to the harvest side of the industry. They screw not only fishermen, but communities as well. What Silver Bay has done is amazing. It took vision, balls, and probably some behind the scenes shenanigans I don't care to know, but the bottom line is this: They gave fishermen ownership. You will never get this from a major. It has changed the world, and will if fishermen are wise enough, ballsy enough, and can see the forest for the tress.

Anonymous said...

5:49 yes even you are about to be schooled in the art of war. it's about business, not you. not fishermen. not fish. it's about money, who has the most and who can take a loss just to regain profit margin and harvester production.

Anonymous said...

sbs defend yourself!

Anonymous said...

608 AM.......how about a few specific examples as to how Trident screws its fishermen and communities instead of generalizing. In some places. Akutan, Sand Pt, St Paul, and really for all purposes, Wrangell as well, there are no others

Anonymous said...

The reason SBS is here is because of the huge margins (profits)that are in the processing sector. The big boys can and will play games with them. We have seen this game played out in Copper River/ PWS over the years. Trident has a huge ego and does not like independent fisherman.

Anonymous said...

processor competition is a good thing, and remember a few years ago when evryone was on limits? Exess capacity is also a good thing!

Anonymous said...

5:57....All your assumptions about SBS Naknek would be incorrect.