While most of the news on wild Alaska salmon is focused
for now on the famed Copper River sockeye and king salmon, hundreds of harvesters
are preparing for the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery opening, which opens officially
on June 1.
The forecast for this year’s Bristol Bay sockeye salmon
run is about 32.3 million fish, with some 21.7 million fish potentially available
for harvest.
The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association
is wasting no time getting the word out to wild Alaska salmon aficionados about
the high quality and good taste of their product.
The BBRSDA has launched a colorful new website, www.bristolbaysockeye.org,
featuring information on the world’s largest sockeye salmon run, sustainability
issues, recipes, nutritional value and stories from the Bristol Bay fish harvesters.
There are detailed instructions, with photos for preparing
sockeye salmon strips, sockeye strip tacos, smoke sockeye salmon ball spreads, seared
salmon with sesame vinaigrette, party platters, party sliders, sockeye caviar canapés,
salmon chowder and more. The collection includes a barbecued plank sockeye salmon
recipe from David Harsilla, president of the Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing
Association, and a veteran Bristol Bay fisherman.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reminds the commercial
fleet that during the season, Bristol Bay salmon announcements are broadcast on
marine VHF Channel 07A and 2509 MHz SSB. Current fishing announcements are aired
on local radio stations – KAKN and KDLG. Regular announcement times that may be
utilized are 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., unless
otherwise stated. Information is also available via telephone; for east side fisheries
(Naknek-Kvichak, Egegik, and Ugashik), dial 246-INFO (4636), for west side fisheries (Nushagak and Togiak) dial
842-5226. The direct line from the
Dillingham boat harbor will be operational in late April and is located on the west
end of the harbormaster's house.
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