Alaska wants more answers on salmon bycatch, setting sights on pollock industry

As chum and chinook salmon numbers dwindle in western Alaska, the US walleye and groundfish industry is in the spotlight with regard to salmon introduced as bycatch.

Karma Ulvi, Chief of Indigenous Village Eagle, highlighted this issue at the recent Alaska Bycatch Task Force review meeting and served as a voting member representing the Yukon River fishing community.

“We have been fish-free for three years now,” said Stephanie, director of the Marine Processors Association, which represents the giants of the U.S. pollock fishing industry, including American Seafood, Trident Seafoods, Arctic Storm and Coastal. • Told other voting members of the Commission, including Madsen, Village and Glacier Fish.