Kotzebue chum fishery opened Sunday, but only one buyer is registered to purchase fish

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened the Kotzebue District commercial chum salmon fishery Sunday under Emergency Order 3-S-X-03-26, scheduling five 8-hour windows through Friday. The advisory also notes that only one buyer is currently registered to purchase salmon in Kotzebue this season, which means permit holders face a real market question before they wet a net.

The fishing periods run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24. The department's 2026 harvest forecast is 50,000 to 150,000 chum salmon. ADF&G area managers put it plainly: "Permit holders are reminded to check with their buyers before starting fishing operations to ensure they have a market for their catch."

Single Buyer Registered This Season

The advisory states directly: "One buyer is currently registered to purchase salmon in Kotzebue this season." ADF&G's management priorities for the Kotzebue District place adequate chum salmon escapement first, followed by meeting subsistence needs, with commercial harvest allowed based on catch rates.

What Permit Holders Should Do Now

For Kotzebue permit holders, ADF&G's instruction is to confirm market availability with buyers before beginning fishing operations. The Kotzebue office is reachable at 907-442-3420; the Commercial Fisheries office in Nome is at 1-800-560-2271.