Strong Runs Forecast for Copper River Sockeye, PWS Pink Salmon
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State fisheries biologists are predicting strong runs of sockeye salmon into the Copper River and wild pink and chum salmon into Prince William Sound for the upcoming 2025 commercial salmon fisheries in Alaska.
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game forecast released Jan. 23 estimated the run of wild sockeye salmon into the Copper River fishery, which is scheduled to open in late May, as having a forecast range of 2.2 million to 2.9 million fish, or 55% above the total run 10-year average of 1.6 million fish.
The Chinook salmon run into the Copper River, by comparison, is forecast with a range of 25,000 to 51,000 fish, or 25% below the total run 10-year average of 48,000 kings.
For the odd-year run of pink salmon into Prince William Sound, biologists forecast a range of 8.5 million to 28.7 million fish, or 8% above the total run 10-year average of 17.2 million fish. The chum run into Prince William Sound, by comparison, is forecast at 285,000 to 941,000 fish, or 18% above the total run 10-year average of 520,000 chums.
Salmon forecasts are inherently uncertain and are primarily used to gauge the general magnitude of expected runs and set early-season harvest management strategy, ADF&G officials said.
In 2025, the department said it plans to manage Prince William Sound and Copper River area commercial salmon fisheries in-season based on the strength of salmon abundance indices, including sonar counts, weir passage, aerial escapement surveys, and fishery performance data.
Source: https://fishermensnews.com/strong-runs-forecast-for-copper-river-sockeye-pws-pink-salmon/