Alaska Department of Fish and Game released its 2007 run forecasts and salmon harvest projections in early February. As always, the projection is a subject of keen 
interest for industry watchers. While accuracy varies from year to year, the projection is typically within 10-20 percent of the actual harvest and provides an important “ballpark” figure for market supply of Alaska wild salmon.
We published a story in the October 2006 Seafood Market Bulletin detailing the sharp decline in exports of frozen sockeye to Japan. At that point, August was the most recent foreign trade data available. As of this report, foreign trade data is now available through November, but there is no substantial change in the crux of the story. Japan received a small volume of U.S. frozen sockeye between September and November 2006 (1,156 MT) But the percentage of Alaska frozen sockeye production exported to Japan remains very low; 36 percent through November 2006 compared to 80 percent through November 2005.
The Southeast Alaska winter troll fishery for king salmon opened October 1, 2006 and will continue through April 30, 2007 or until the quota of 45,000 fish is caught.
Salmon Data Release Schedule
Sales volume and first wholesale price data for September-December 2006 is typically published by Alaska Department of Revenue in the Alaska Salmon Price Report by mid-February. Actual publication date of the report varies. SMIS will use the data to update canned salmon inventories and to assess pace of sales for frozen H&G sockeye and other key products.
Foreign trade data through December 2006 will be released February 13.
The 2006-2007 Bering Sea red king crab season wrapped up its second year under the IFQ system in November. This year’s fishery operated under a 100 percent retention policy adopted by the fleet in response to problems (and a quota reduction) associated with high grading during the 2005-2006 season. Post-season reports indicate fishery managers were pleased with retention rates for this season.
The 2006-2007 Bering Sea fishery for snow crab (Opilio) opened on October 15 of 2006, with a total allowable catch (TAC) of 36.5 million pounds, a 2 percent decline from the previous year.
While the Bering Sea Red king crab and opilio crab fisheries are the largest crab fisheries in Alaska, near-shore waters support several minor crab fisheries that provide opportunities for small-boat fishermen and additional indicators for crab value. In 2006, Tanner crab harvest from various near-shore crab fisheries in Alaska was 3.5 million pounds and harvest of near-shore king crab in Southeast Alaska and Norton Sound was just under 1 million pounds.