Surge in salmon in 2019 season
State biologists expect a big increase in salmon harvests in 2019 to 213 million fish, up from about 116 million in 2018. The big bump will be driven by higher pink salmon catches, which has a two- year cycle (last year was low) and a higher chum salmon harvest. About 138 million pink salmon are expected this year up from 41 million last year. That variation is not unusual for pinks in their cycle, biologists say.

The sockeye catch is expected to be down by nine million fish statewide. Last year sockeye catches boomed in Bristol Bay but were dismal in other parts of the state. Outside of the Bay, the statewide sockeye harvest was 40 percent below the 10-year average.