By Sentinel Staff
With winter at an end, schools of herring have returned to Sitka Sound and are active close to town and northward toward Starrigavan, the Department of Fish and Game announced Sunday.
On-the-water surveys by both the Department of Fish and Game and private boats spotted herring schools around Indian River, Middle Island and in Starrigavan Bay.
“Several large schools of herring were located from Indian River to Whale Island, near Long Island, and in Starrigavan Bay,” Fish and Game said in Sunday’s report. “Additionally, several very large schools of herring were located in the deeper waters north of Middle Island and north of Big Gavanski Island.”
Aerial surveys on Saturday and Sunday spotted neither fish nor spawn between Cape Burunof and Krestof Sound. High winds impeded Saturday’s observation flight, though conditions were fair Sunday.
“Herring predators were still seen along the Kruzof Island shoreline from Inner Point to Kamenoi Point on both surveys, humpback whales have begun to be observed between Bieli Rock (south of St. Lazaria Island) and Makhnati Island and south of Whale Island (south of downtown),” Fish and Game stated.
The department planned to fly again today. The National Weather Service calls for cloudy weather slowly clearing through the day.
