Super salmon catch, poor payoff

This year's Alaska commercial salmon catch exceeded 263 million fish, the second-highest total ever.

But the estimated ex-vessel value, at $414 million, was something of a disappointment.

The numbers are included in this press release from the Department of Fish and Game.

Last year's catch of less than 157 million salmon paid almost $577 million.

Humble harvest in first Copper River opener

Thursday's 12-hour season opener at the Copper River produced a modest catch of 16,100 sockeye salmon and 1,400 Chinook, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports.

"This compares to an anticipated harvest of 37,200 sockeye salmon for this period," the department said.

The Copper River District will open again at 7 a.m. Monday for a 24-hour period. More details here.

Bering Sea pollock edges up; Gulf cod surges

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has set the 2015 total allowable catch (TAC) for Alaska groundfish.

Here are the TACs for key species and the percent change from 2014.

BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

Eastern Bering Sea pollock, 1,310,000 tons, up 3.4 percent
Pacific cod, 249,422 tons, down 1.8 percent
Yellowfin sole, 149,000 tons, down 19 percent
Atka mackerel, 54,500 tons, up 68.6 percent
Pacific Ocean perch, 32,021 tons, down 3.3 percent
Sablefish, 3,135 tons, down 0.5 percent

GULF OF ALASKA

Pollock, 199,151 tons, up 13.8 percent
Pacific cod, 75,202 tons, up 16.2 percent
Pacific Ocean perch, 21,012 tons, up 8.8 percent
Sablefish, 10,522 tons, down 0.5 percent

The TACs are subject to U.S. commerce secretary approval.