Kodiak herring food and bait fishery opens Oct. 26 with a 1,280-ton limit

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will open Kodiak's commercial herring food and bait fishery at 9 am Monday, Oct. 26, with a 1,280-ton limit across eight districts. The department's Kodiak office announced the fall A season Wednesday afternoon.

That limit is 130 tons lower than last year's 1,410. Last year's A season also opened Oct. 26.

Eastside again holds the largest share, 485 tons, down from 580. Alitak falls from 160 tons to 90, and South Afognak drops from 30 to 25. Inner Marmot rises from 60 to 80 tons. North Afognak, which did not open last year, returns at 20 tons. West Afognak (100 tons), Uganik (320) and Uyak (160) stay the same.

Each district closes for the season once it reaches its limit, according to the department's advisory announcement. The Offshore West Afognak, Outer Uganik and Offshore Uyak Bay sections stay closed, as does the rest of the Kodiak Area. Permit holders, buyers and tender operators must register with the Kodiak office, and fishermen must report catches as soon as they land.

Last season, Uganik closed at noon Nov. 5 and Eastside at noon Nov. 10. A B season opened Jan. 11 with 390 tons still available in the other districts.

This fishery is separate from Kodiak's sac roe B season, which Alaska News covered Oct. 14 and which is set to close Oct. 25.

The department also requested quotes Wednesday for test fishing, to raise $30,000 for future commercial herring management. It is offering four lots at $7,500 each. Bidders say how many tons of herring they would take for a lot, and the lowest tonnage wins, with no more than 50 tons per lot. A tie goes to the earlier bid, and the department may reject any or all quotes.

Bids are due by 4 pm Monday, Oct. 26, the same day the season opens, and will be awarded immediately. Winning bidders may test fish from Oct. 27 through Nov. 30, at times and places the department sets with them.