By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka Sound herring sac roe fishery will be placed on 2-hour notice 8 a.m. Saturday, the Department of Fish and Game said today.
“This means that a fishery could be expected with two hours notice after the effective time,” Aaron Dupuis, F&G area management biologist, said in a news release.
One test sample was taken today near Inner Point on Kruzof Island. The sample results are: 30 ton set, mature roe – 8.0%; immature roe – 1.7%; and average weight – 111 grams.
Dupuis said the R/V Kestrel is to arrive the morning of March 20 and immediately conduct a vessel survey.
The 2-hour notice fishery meeting will be conducted via Zoom and is scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. Friday: https://zoom.us/j/95709001385?pwd=ZE5IcFltZnJzVXBNTVp3VWNyL3JqUT09
Meeting ID: 957 0900 1385
Passcode: 21Herring
Today’s aerial survey covered Sitka Sound from Eastern Channel to Hayward Strait. Weather during the flight was good with clear skies and fair winds. No herring or herring spawn were observed. The highest concentration of herring predators was observed west of Bieli Rock, east of Middle Island, and east of Vitskari Rocks. Several whales were seen working in deeper waters between Bieli Rock and Inner Point, near Middle Island, and east of Vitskari Rocks.
Large groups of sea lions were observed holding off Inner Point, Bieli Rock, and east of Middle Island. South of Sitka, two whales and no sea lions were observed near Eastern Channel. Predator numbers and locations are normal for this time of year.
The next aerial survey is scheduled Friday, March 19. Fishery updates are expected after vessel and aerial surveys are finished for the day.
