Laine Welch, Alaska Journal of Commerce Journalist Profile

Articles

North Pacific 2024 salmon catches were the lowest since 1988

1 month ago | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

As Alaska prepares for what could be one of its strongest salmon seasons ever, foreboding signs for the fishery's future are out on the water. In 2024, commercial salmon catches declined throughout the North Pacific by more than 60 percent from the previous year, and the total weight of the salmon pack fell by over 50 percent. The numbers were released last week by the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) at its 32nd annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
ADF&G predicting huge salmon haul in 2025

1 month ago | kodiakdailymirror.com | Laine Welch

An early advance from fishery managers shows that Alaska’s 2025 salmon season could be a doozy. A full report for the 2025 salmon fishery and an overview of the 2024 season should be released any day, but draft projections by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reveal big increases for all but Chinook salmon. If the numbers hold true, a statewide salmon catch of nearly 215 million salmon would more than double a 2024 harvest that barely topped 101 million fish.
Alaska's 2025 salmon forecast more than doubles last year

1 month ago | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

A full report on the 2025 salmon fishery and an overview of the 2024 season should be released any day, but draft projections by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) reveal big increases for all but Chinook salmon. If the numbers hold true, a statewide salmon catch of nearly 215 million salmon would more than double a 2024 harvest that barely topped 101 million fish. Here's the projected harvest breakdown by species with comparisons to the 2024 season.
2025 Copper River salmon opener announced

2 months ago | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

State managers anticipate an "excellent" season for sockeyes. Alaska's 2025 salmon season will officially get underway on May 22 with a 12-hour opener for sockeye and Chinook salmon at the famous Copper River near Cordova. In its Friday announcement, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) pegged the harvest forecast for sockeye salmon at 1.92 million fish this season, more than double the ten-year average of 824,000 fish.
Pacific halibut fishery gets off to a slow start with high prices

2 months ago | savingseafood.org | Laine Welch

April 10, 2025 — Bad weather and some last-minute paperwork scrambling at NOAA Fisheries combined to produce low catches during the first weeks of the Pacific halibut fishery. By April 1, just 3 percent of the 23.79 million pound fishery limit for 2025 had been harvested since the March 20 opener.
Pacific halibut fishery gets off to a slow start with high prices

2 months ago | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

By April 1, just 3 percent of the 23.79 million pound fishery limit for 2025 had been harvested since the March 20 opener. That poundage applies to the catches for commercial fishermen, sport charter operators, anglers, and subsistence users along the west coast and British Columbia/Canada to the far reaches of Alaska’s Bering Sea.
Herring fishery underway draws little attention or interest

2 months ago | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

The arrival of herring at Sitka Sound signals the start of spring in Alaska, but the fishery that began there on March 22 has attracted little notice or interest. Roughly 2,740 tons of herring 6 million pounds)were harvested through March 25on an allowable harvest of 36,720 short tons (73.44 million pounds). There’s plenty of herring, which are valued for their roe, or eggs.
ALASKA: AK 2024 salmon hatchery catches & values plummet

Mar 26, 2025 | savingseafood.org | Laine Welch

March 26, 2025 — Alaska’s 2024 salmon fishery saw double-digit declines in both catch and value, and the hits also hurt the state’s vital hatchery program. Alaska produced a total catch of just over 101 million salmon last year, a 56 percent decrease from the more than 232 million fish caught in 2023. Fishermen’s paydays also took a beating with the total salmon value at $304 million, down from $398 million the previous year.
AK 2024 salmon hatchery catches & values plummet

Mar 26, 2025 | nationalfisherman.com | Laine Welch

Alaska’s 2024 salmon fishery saw double-digit declines in both catch and value, and the hits also hurt the state's vital hatchery program. Alaska produced a total catch of just over 101 million salmon last year, a 56 percent decrease from the more than 232 million fish caught in 2023. Fishermen’s paydays also took a beating with the total salmon value at $304 million, down from $398 million the previous year.
Opinion: Instead of fish farms, Alaska should invest in the fish that are already here

Mar 23, 2025 | adn.com | Laine Welch

Gov. Mike Dunleavy made waves recently when he proposed that Alaska get into the fish farming business. Here’s a better idea: Use more of every fish that crosses Alaska’s docks. All other U.S. protein producers strive to use all parts of their animals, “from the rooter to the tooter.” But in Alaska, processors utilize less than half of all the seafood that runs through their plants. The bulk of the fish/crab byproducts are ground up and buried or discharged at sea.