Chinook Market Supply

The market supply conditions that helped drive Alaska Chinook prices to a 25-year high point in the 2006 season appear to be similar for the 2007 season.

Between 2002 and 2005, the total supply of North America wild Chinook was at or near 2 million fish. Landings in Washington, Oregon and California averaged slightly over one million fish between 2002 and 2005. The supply picture changed in 2006, when fishery managers made dramatic cuts in fishing time to protect the Klamath River stock and Chinook harvest from the West coast states fell to less than 200,000 fish in 2006. With the supply of wild Chinook down by 800,000 fish, the market responded by driving Alaska ex-vessel Chinook prices to a 25-year high point.

West-coast fishery managers are again taking a conservative approach for the 2007 season, this time to address concerns with the Sacramento River stock. Chinook harvest from the West coast states is expected to remain below 400,000 fish in 2007. While this represents a minor improvement in supply over 2006, the total North America wild Chinook supply is expected to be around 1.3 million, compared to an average of 2 million during 2002 ��� 2005.