SITKA SOUND SAC ROE HERRING FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENTSitka. . . The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the guideline
harvest level (GHL) for the 2012 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is 28,829 tons This is
based on a 20% harvest rate of a forecast biomass of 144,143 tons. This is a slight decrease
from the preliminary forecast announced December 15, 2011. Samples taken in the winter
test fishery on February 15–16, 2012, indicated similar or slightly larger average weight-atage
for herring ages 3–7 and smaller average weights-at-age for age-8+ herring compared to
samples taken in the winter of 2011. The overall average weight of samples taken from the
winter test fishery was 141 grams.
The department plans to conduct the first aerial survey of the Sitka Sound area around March 13,
depending on weather. The results of the survey will be posted as a Fishery Update on the
department’s website listed below and on a recorded message phone at (907) 747-1009.
Sitka Sound herring updates can be found at:
http://documents.cf1.adfg.state.ak.us/SubtopicContents.po?ERA=Current&TOPIC=07&SUBTO
