Kodiak seiners got four more days, or one, depending where they were

Kodiak seiners on the west and north sides of the island got four more days Saturday. Boats in four Alitak District sections got one.

Fish and Game extended the Cape Alitak, Alitak Bay, Moser Bay and Olga Bay sections by 24 hours, to 6 pm Sunday. The Outer Karluk, Central, North Cape and Inner Uganik Bay sections, along with Southwest Afognak, got 96 hours, to 6 pm Wednesday.

Those nine sections had moved as one group through three straight orders. Saturday's is the first to pull them apart, and it gives no reason.

Fewer boats are out than usual. The department's Aug. 28 summary counted about 120 seiners and 115 set gillnetters.

It forecast a thin year. The December outlook put the 2026 Kodiak pink harvest at 12.3 million fish, wild stock and Kitoi Bay Hatchery combined, and placed that in the weak category. The even-year escapement goal is 3.25 million to 8 million.

The announcements carry no harvest or escapement counts, so there is no way to tell from them how the run is actually tracking.

Chinook 28 inches or larger still may not be kept by purse seine gear, and must be returned to the water unharmed.