OBI Shutters Alitak, Kodiak Island Plant
Salmon harvesters at Alitak, located in Lazy Bay on the southern tip of Alaska’s Kodiak Island, are reeling after an announcement from OBI Seafoods that its Alitak facilities would not be buying fish from setnetters or even providing normal services for setnetters during the 2024 season.
The operational costs have become uneconomical due to lower harvests, high tender costs and the cost of providing ice and other services, OBI COO Brian O’Leary announced March 11.
OBI would be open to purchasing Alitak setnet fish only if the fish are taken to Kodiak, O’Leary said.
Maintenance and retail services at the former Lazy Bay cannery at are being halted, the company stated, adding that OBI’s Alitak facility will also not be open for services including ice, laundry, boat labor, garbag...