Southeast Alaska pink salmon counts fall far below average for fourth straight week

ADF&G is weighing adjusted openings for commercial fishermen in Section 9-B, District 10, District 1, District 6, and Section 11-C after four straight weeks of weak pink salmon returns in Southeast Alaska. The department says pink salmon management will begin this week in District 1 and early August in District 6 and Section 11-C.

The numbers tell a stark story. The F/V Obsession's Point Gardner set, completed July 17, caught 36 pinks per set against a 10-year average of 705. The Kingsmill set, completed July 13, caught 15 per set against an average of 344. A Hawk Inlet test fishery on July 17, the fourth and final shoreline test fishery for 2026, found pink harvest at 68% of average and chum at 50%.

"Pink salmon harvests to date have been very poor and well below average for the time of year," ADF&G said. The agency rated pink run strength as well below average and chum as below average.

Sex ratio sampling indicates pink salmon are running later than average, while chum salmon are running earlier than normal. ADF&G had forecast 19 million Southeast pinks for 2026, near the low end of the average range.

Test sets on July 20 and July 24 are the next decision points. Point Gardner has one week left in its five-week schedule. Kingsmill is in its fourth and final week.