Laine Welch | Fish Factor

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Kodiak-based Laine Welch writes Fish Factor, a weekly roundup of news and opinion about Alaska's commercial fishing industry that appears in newspapers and websites around Alaska and nationally. Contact her at msfish@alaskan.com.

High crab prices continue to lead all Alaska seafoods as increased demand during the pandemic continues

No Tanner fishery occurred in 2021 as crabbers waited for more mature male crabs to grow, and the waiting appears to have paid off.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

January brings busy start to the year for Alaska’s commercial fishermen

Pacific halibut catches will be announced later this month. Also, the pandemic has derailed the Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting slated to be held in person in Ketchikan.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Picks and pans for 2021 in Alaska’s seafood industry

OPINION: Here’s the annual no-holds-barred look back at the year’s best and worst fishing highlights from Fish Factor columnist Laine Welch.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Alaska U.S. senators propose task force to gain better understanding of salmon declines

Fish Factor: The task force of up to 19 people would conduct a comprehensive review of salmon science and management in Alaska.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Demand for Alaska sockeye salmon has pushed prices to near record highs

Fish Factor: Homer man targets trawler bycatch in controversial Facebook posts.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

North Pacific Fishery Management Council sets 2022 catch limits

The federal advisory panel manages six fishery plans covering 140-plus species within 47 stocks and stock complexes, including setting annual bycatch limits.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Pacific halibut stock increases after four years of decline

Fish Factor: The summer setline survey could result in increased catches for most regions in 2022.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

1 million pounds and counting: Recycling fishing nets and lines takes off in Alaska coastal communities

Homer is in Net Your Problem’s lineup for fishing gear recycling, said the founder of the company that facilitates fishing gear recycling efforts, and Naknek will begin a program next summer.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Alaska lawmakers in both parties demand action on excessive fisheries bycatch

In the case of Bering Sea snow crab, for example, the trawl bycatch could exceed the catch quota for the actual crab fleet.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Preliminary 2021 Alaska salmon harvests and values are in, and most regions did well

The fishery produced the third highest catch, fish poundage and value on record dating back to 1975.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Dungeness emerges as Alaska’s top crab fishery

It’s hard to believe, but Dungeness crab in the Gulf of Alaska is now Alaska’s largest crab fishery — a distinction due to the collapse of stocks in the Bering Sea.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition features 18 entries and a new award

Fish Factor: The annual event levels the playing field among Alaska’s largest seafood companies and the smallest “mom and pops.”

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Mostly good Alaska commercial salmon season pushes up prices for fishing permits, but buyers have been scarce

“A lot of fishermen had a great year out there and made a lot of money. But buyers are hesitant to pay these really high prices. Many are hoping it’s a pretty short spike,” said one industry observer.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Bristol Bay salmon fishery is generating big revenue this year, but most of the money will leave Alaska

Fish Factor: A new report examines how Alaska fisheries policy dating back nearly 50 years has gradually disenfranchised local residents from economic opportunities.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●

Smart buoys offer hope for reducing environmental and economic damage caused by lost fishing gear

Blue Ocean Gear of California created and builds buoys that track and monitor all types of deployed gear and report its location directly to a cellphone or website.

By Laine Welch | Fish Factor●