Blotter

Check out our sister blog The Brig for lots of enforcement news from Bristol Bay and elsewhere around Alaska.

ADF&G says congrats on 'historic achievement'

Read it here.

Bristol Bay record!

The Bristol Bay sockeye salmon catch now stands at more than 46.5 million fish.

That smashes the previous record of 44.3 million sockeye harvested in 1995.

Salmon notes

Here are a few observations from the young salmon season thus far.

• The statewide catch is 49 million fish, with sockeye accounting for most of the catch.

• Preseason predictions of a huge catch at Bristol Bay are proving accurate. Through Thursday, the tally stood at more than 35 million sockeye. That's an awesome haul, with lots of fishing still to come.

• The Copper River sockeye catch stands at 528,790 fish, against the preseason forecast of 716,000.

Boat sinks, three people saved in Southeast

The U.S. Coast Guard reports a commercial fishing vessel sank in Southeast Alaska.

The Coast Guard on Monday received a report over Channel 16 from the F/V Miss Amy stating the vessel was taking on water in the vicinity of Lisianski Strait and Porcupine Rock.

The Miss Amy was unable to keep up with the rate of flow and sank in approximately 150 feet of water 5 miles offshore, the Coast Guard said.

All three passengers aboard went into the water and were rescued by the merchant vessels Cirus and Lucky Strike, which responded to an urgent marine information broadcast.

"We're especially grateful to good Samaritan vessels Cirus and Lucky Strike," said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Bitinas, watchstander at the Sector Juneau command center. "Their quick response saved three lives."

State records list the Miss Amy as a 37-foot troller.

Personnel file

The governor today announced the nomination of Rachel Baker, of Juneau, to the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

Baker is deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She presumably would replace sportfishing lodge owner Richard Yamada on the IPHC.

The governor also announced the reappointment of Jack Schultheis to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors. Schultheis is general manager of Kwik'pak Fisheries.

Bristol Bay heats up

Bristol Bay fishermen already have taken more than 10 million sockeye, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports.

A gigantic catch is expected this season, based on the state's preseason forecast.