North Pacific-wide total salmon harvests reported by North
Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission member countries totaled 1.11 million metric
tons in 2013, the second highest on record since 1925, the commission says.
Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission member countries totaled 1.11 million metric
tons in 2013, the second highest on record since 1925, the commission says.
The report emerged from NPAFC’s 22nd annual
meeting in Portland, Ore., May 12-16, where representatives of the five member
countries met.
meeting in Portland, Ore., May 12-16, where representatives of the five member
countries met.
A record 1.14 million tons of salmon was harvested in 2009.
In both 2009 and 2013, more than 50 percent of the catch by
weight was pink salmon.
weight was pink salmon.
The vast majority of Pacific salmon originate in the waters
of the member countries: the United States, Canada, Japan, the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Korea.
of the member countries: the United States, Canada, Japan, the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Korea.
The 2013 species composition by weight of the North Pacific
wide catch was 53 percent pink, 31 percent chum, 12 percent sockeye, 3 percent
coho and less than 1 percent each of Chinook and cheery salmon and steelhead
trout.
wide catch was 53 percent pink, 31 percent chum, 12 percent sockeye, 3 percent
coho and less than 1 percent each of Chinook and cheery salmon and steelhead
trout.
Member nations’ portions of the total catch included: United
States, 509.2 thousand tons, or 46 percent, including 483.4 thousand tons in
Alaska; Russia, 405.9 thousand tons, or 37 percent; Japan, 164.5 thousand tons,
or 15 percent; Canada, 27.8 thousand tons, or 2 percent; and Korea, 219 tons,
less than 1 percent.
States, 509.2 thousand tons, or 46 percent, including 483.4 thousand tons in
Alaska; Russia, 405.9 thousand tons, or 37 percent; Japan, 164.5 thousand tons,
or 15 percent; Canada, 27.8 thousand tons, or 2 percent; and Korea, 219 tons,
less than 1 percent.
The North Pacific-wide catch of sockeye salmon was 133.2
thousand metric tons in 2013, with 61 percent of the total by weight coming
from Alaska, and 38 percent from Russia.
This is approximately 7 percent less than the total sockeye catch in
2012, researchers said.
thousand metric tons in 2013, with 61 percent of the total by weight coming
from Alaska, and 38 percent from Russia.
This is approximately 7 percent less than the total sockeye catch in
2012, researchers said.
Pink and chum salmon are currently very abundant. Coho and
Chinook salmon are less abundant than they were previously, while sockeye
salmon abundance is highly variable among regions from year to year,
researchers said.
Chinook salmon are less abundant than they were previously, while sockeye
salmon abundance is highly variable among regions from year to year,
researchers said.
The commission also reported a lack of apprehension of
vessels fishing illegally in the NPAFC convention area, saying this is
testament to the effectiveness of its cooperative model of enforcement.
vessels fishing illegally in the NPAFC convention area, saying this is
testament to the effectiveness of its cooperative model of enforcement.
In a statement issued on May 20, the commission said it is
continuing its enforcement collaboration on the high seas to eliminate illegal
salmon fishing in the international waters of the North Pacific. Representatives from fisheries enforcement
agencies of NPAFC member countries discussed and planned detailed coordination
and sharing of information aimed at increasing effectiveness and efficiency in
patrols.
continuing its enforcement collaboration on the high seas to eliminate illegal
salmon fishing in the international waters of the North Pacific. Representatives from fisheries enforcement
agencies of NPAFC member countries discussed and planned detailed coordination
and sharing of information aimed at increasing effectiveness and efficiency in
patrols.