Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

A trawl vessel sits at the dock in Kodiak this summer.

Two Kodiak trawlers caught 2,000 king salmon. Now a whole fishery is closed

The incident is sure to draw more scrutiny on the issue of bycatch — the unintended harvest of fish by boats targeting other species.

Politics

Biden administration advances conservation group's bid to list Gulf of Alaska king salmon as endangered or threatened

Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

Experts say that the request, if granted, could force restrictions not just on salmon fishermen. but also on activity that affects river habitat, like road and residential construction.

Pink salmon are seen in an undated photo.

Science and Environment

New salmon study adds to evidence that pink salmon could be crowding out sockeye

Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

A new analysis of nearly 25,000 fish scales offers more evidence that the millions of pink salmon churned out by Alaska fish hatcheries could be harming wild sockeye salmon populations when they meet in the ocean, according to the scientists who authored the study.

Science and Environment

Washington conservation group proposes listing Alaska king salmon under Endangered Species Act

Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

The Wild Fish Conservancy says the chinook are threatened by climate change and competition from hatchery-raised fish.

Science and Environment

With little movement on salmon bycatch, Alaska advocates look to Biden administration for action

Nathaniel Herz, Northern Journal

A federal agency says it’s considering a rewrite to guidelines that shape management plans for the Bering Sea and other fisheries, but it has not yet committed to taking action.