Photos: Kotzebue commercial chum salmon fishery

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Maniilaq workers unload chum salmon from a skiff in Kotzebue, Alaska on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. The set net fishery is stacking up to be one of the best takes in the 53 year history of the fishery. The skiff fishery takes place in Kotzebue Sound of the Chukchi Sea in northwest Alaska.

In an industry full of booms and busts, the Kotzebue commercial chum salmon fishery is exploding.

After decades of fluctuation, including a point where the fishery all but ceased to function, it's back this year, and fishermen are slaying.

So far, about 80 permit holders -- about 69 of which fish on a consistent basis -- have brought in 4.45 million pounds of salmon. On July 28, those fishermen brought in 534,000 pounds of fish to the fishery, 10 times more than the average of 50,000-70,000 pounds of fish that usually get caught each day.

Read more: Flourishing commercial chum fishery has Kotzebue fishermen breaking out the boats