SMIS has tracked the Southeast Alaska winter king troll fishery for several years. It is the only salmon fishery in North America that remains open 12 months per year. For several months, it is the only source of fresh wild salmon in the North American marketplace. The 2006 winter fishery opened October 11 and will remain open until April 30 or until the quota of 45,000 fish is taken. Through mid-January, harvest stands at 14,700 fish.

Regional average ex-vessel prices have remained well above $6 per pound since early December, with some buyers paying $7.50 per pound or more. These impressive ex-vessel values are widely reported in trade press and mainstream publications (including the Anchorage Daily News) but most stories leave out an important piece, product volume. From early December through mid-January, landings for the entire fleet averaged only about 6,100 pounds (450 fish) per week. Most of the volume in the fishery is taken in October and April, at prices around $4 per pound in recent years.