The 2022 cumulative sockeye salmon harvest in Bristol Bay thru July 16 now sits at 55.6 million fish – the largest harvest since commercial fishing began in 1883. This eclipses the previous harvest record of 44.3 million fish set in 1995.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game expects the overall run to reach about 73.4 million, which would be the largest inshore run in the history of the fishery.
Cumulative sockeye salmon escapement in all rivers of Bristol Bay is 17 million as of July 16, and all rivers have met or exceeded their sockeye salmon escapement goals.
“The department would like to take the time to congratulate the fleet, processors, supporting industry, and communities of Bristol Bay on their efforts this season and being part of this historic achievement,” a statement on the Fish and Game website notes.
This year’s record run of sockeye follows on the heels of 2021 when Bristol Bay saw a total sockeye run of 66.1 million fish, which was the largest run on record at the time, and 60% greater than the 41.3 million average run over the last 20-year period.
Counting this year’s mounting total, Bristol Bay has now seen a return of 60 million or more sockeye just four times in nearly 140 years, including twice in the past two years.
2 Comments
Love the Sockeye
Yum yum
Guess this put to rest the disastrous “ warming of the ocean “ concept put forth by the environmentalists and those that predicted the earth would not be able to sustain an ever increasing population!! But further heightens the Pebble controversy which potentially threatens this incredible bounty!!