Sockeye catches are increasing but Alaska remains on track for a significantly smaller harvest than last year, and Russia’s reduced forecast further tightens the global wild salmon outlook.
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Forecasts
Peggy Parker: Early season salmon prices on a projected lean AK Catch
What’s expected to be a lean AK salmon fishery is ramping up and fishermen’s prices are being posted. Also, free catch updates are now availble for several sources.
Tradex 2026 Global Salmon Outlook: Alaska, Russia, Japan Forecasts Point to Tight Supply
Global wild salmon harvest projections could drop by over 30%. Lower AK and Russian pink salmon catches, combined with continued weakness in Japanese chum returns, could create one of the tightest wild salmon suppllies in recent memory.
First peek at Alaska 2026 statewide salmon forecast indicates a big decline in catches
Alaska’s 2026 projected statewide salmon harvest is down by nearly 36%. See comparisons to 2025, including dock prices.
Alaska 2026 salmon forecasts indicate a fairly lackluster fishery
Salmon forecasts for most regions in 2026 are dubbed “average” or “weak” by state managers. Exceptions are pinks & chums at PWS and at Cook Inlet’s federal waters sockeye fishery.
Togiak 2026 herring harvest announced. No fishery since 2022 due to no buyers.
Once one of AK’s most lucrative fisheries, herring today has almost zero interest from a single buyer: Japan.
2026 Pacific halibut catches likely to be near last year’s limits
Atlantic Halibut catches are now almost equal to the entire Pacific coast harvest. Pacific catch limits will be announced later this month.
Alaska Fish Watch: January kicks off commercial fishing; more AK salmon forecasts
Alaska’s commercial fishing begins on January 1 for fixed gears targeting various groundfish; trawlers hit the water on Jan. 20.
Another strong year projected for Sitka Sound herring: Seafoodnews.com
Little interest in AK herring last year saw just 17% of the 35,720 ton harvest taken at Sitka. Alaska has not broadened its herring market beyond a single buyer – Japan – for over 50 years.
SeafoodSource: New NOAA Fisheries head says science is his priority
Many question whether the Trump administration’s talk on science aligns with its actions due to lay offs of hundreds of scientists as part of the its efforts to shrink the federal workforce.