SITKA — State Fish and Game biologists saw plenty of predators but no herring Friday in an aerial survey of Sitka Sound.
“No herring or herring spawn was seen,” reported area management biologist, Dave Gordon, following his survey of an area north of Cape Burunof up to Salisbury Sound.
This year’s guideline harvest level in the spring sac roe fishery is 14,941 tons, which is up from last spring’s quota of 8,712 tons.
Gordon said the highest concentration of marine mammals was seen near Bieli Rock. Numerous whales were seen working in deeper waters west of Bieli Rock along with about 300 sea lions in several large groups holding just off the rock piles. Four whales were spotted in deeper waters between Big Gavanski Island and Promisla Bay, three whales were off Harbor Point, two whales were seen in Nakwasina Sound and one whale in Katlian Bay.
In waters south of town, Gordon reported a number of whales scattered from Eastern Channel to Vitskari Rocks. And in Salisbury Sound, he reported three whales in the vicinity of St. John Baptist Bay. “The observed distribution of herring predators was normal for this date,” he said.
Gordon said he plans to give the next fishery update Tuesday, after the next scheduled aerial survey and the first test samples are taken.
“Once test sampling indicates increasing roe maturity the department will place the fishery on two-hour notice and schedule a pre-fishery organizational meeting,” he said.
Last year’s catch was taken in a cooperative-style fishery north of town between March 18 and 25.
