Southeast seiners and gillnetters have until Nov. 13 to shape December task force agendas

Southeast Alaska fishermen and others who want a topic on the agenda for December's salmon task force meetings have until Nov. 13 to suggest it, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in an Oct. 20 announcement.

The meetings are where state managers, researchers, hatchery operators, fishermen and processors review the season just ended and plan for the next one. The Purse Seine Task Force meets Dec. 1 and the Drift Gillnet Task Force Dec. 2, both at the Landing Hotel in Ketchikan. People can also attend by Zoom.

Suggestions can go to the department or to the four fishing groups it builds the agendas with: United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association, Southeast Alaska Fishermen's Alliance, Southeast Alaska Seiners Association and Petersburg Vessel Owners Association. Agendas and department presentations will be posted on the department's salmon meetings page by Nov. 27.

Both fleets have a season to talk over. Seiners caught about 18.7 million pinks, close to the 19 million forecast, at the best prices in a long time. Gillnetters caught less of every salmon species than average in their traditional areas but were expected to be paid more for it.

The meetings rotate among communities. Last year's were in Juneau.