Size of the fish has plummeted; Bottom trawlers blame weather, new halibut bycatch limits
From Tradex
December 2, 2024
Current harvests are at approximately 85,000 metric tons, (187 million pounds) a 25% drop from last year and 45% below the 154,000 metric tons (338.8 million pounds) landed in 2022. This represents a shortfall of 61.5 million pounds from last year and over 152 million pounds compared to 2022.
The last time harvests were below 85,000 metric tons was in 2000. Between 1998 and 2010, the annual average was around 94,000 metric tons, underscoring the sharp decline.
In comparison, Russia’s 5-year average harvest of flounder, which is predominantly yellowfin sole, is about 90,000 metric tons annually (198 million pounds). However, this year’s totals appear to follow Alaska’s downward trend, with current harvests about 30% below the 5-year average.
Raw materials pricing out of China began the year at approximately $1,950 per metric ton before stabilizing at $1,700 for most of the year. However, prices edged up to $1,800 per metric ton for medium sizes in November. Meanwhile, Russian processors have not been utilizing flounder raw materials, leaving current pricing unavailable.
Although there is no single factor to attribute, adverse weather conditions, and stricter Halibut bycatch rules are both possible contributors to the decline in yellowfin sole harvests.
Yellowfin Sole fillets Credit: Nordic Fish Pack Co.
Difficult weather conditions have made it harder for fishermen to locate fish, with trips now taking twice as long. Additionally, the size ratio of large yellowfin sole has plummeted from 40–45% to just 3–4%.
Stricter halibut bycatch rules under Amendment 123, introduced in November 2023, have further impacted the fishery. (LW: Every boat is based in Seattle.)
This amendment applies a variable bycatch limit tied to halibut abundance, reducing the allowable limit by 10–35% during periods of low biomass. With halibut stocks at their lowest levels in 40 years, bycatch limits for 2024 were reduced by roughly 1 million pounds.
It’s hard to know how much more yellowfin sole will be harvested in Alaska as more boats tie up, however an estimate would be another 5,000 to 10,000 metric tons(11 million to 22 million pounds) by the end of the year.
