|
NSEDC provided support for the Norton Sound herring fishery in 2009. If only a small bait herring fishery occurs, we will provide aerial support to spot incoming herring and identify times and locations to fish. In the event of a large sac roe fishery, we will provide the additional aerial support which is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of early-season commercial test fishing and to improve the quality and efficiency of the harvest.
For more information, contact Charlie Lean. Charlie Lean
Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation
|
During the 1980s and 1990s the Norton Sound herring fishery generally sustained an annual harvest of about 5000 metric tons. Since 2002, however, the harvest has been much lower (average harvest of 900 tons), and there have been years with almost no commercial harvest. In the past, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has conducted aerial herring surveys. These surveys give local fishermen vital information on incoming herring biomass and ice movement as well as aerial spotting during the fishery; this information allows fishermen to most efficiently take advantage of the fishery. From a management perspective, each survey extends the survey database used to assess the health of the stock and to calculate the harvestable surplus. However, ADF&G is unable to continue these surveys. 
We believe that Norton Sound herring is a large biomass that is currently largely under-utilized; we will continue to look for alternative times, locations, and methods for commercially harvesting this resource.
