By Sentinel Staff
Larger numbers of herring predators such as humpback whales and sea lions are being seen in Sitka Sound, but they haven’t moved far from where they were earlier this week, the Department of Fish and Game announced after an observation flight Wednesday.
“While it is unusual to observe larger concentrations of herring predators in the shallow waters off the southeastern Kruzof Island shoreline this time of year, predator locations have remained largely unchanged since first observed,” Fish and Game announced Wednesday.
The department first noted the higher concentration of predators in shallow waters at Hayward Strait on Monday, and an aerial survey Wednesday between St. Lazaria Island and Krestof Sound located predators along the eastern shore of Kruzof Island.
“Humpback whales were observed in the shallower waters of the Kruzof Island shoreline from Inner Point to Hayward Strait and south of the Siginaka Islands. Large numbers of sea lions were again observed off the rock piles between Inner Point and Kamenoi Point,” the department noted.
No schools of herring or herring spawn have been seen in any of the observed areas.
Fish and Game said the next aerial survey is planned for Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather statement for Southeast today, with heavy rain and wind forecast.
