The sockeye salmon harvest in Alaska's Bristol Bay region is projected to fall nearly 14 percent in 2020, to just over 36.9 million fish from this year's near-record catch, according to a new forceast from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G).
The overall number of fish returning to spawn is projected to reach 48.95 million fish, though the estimated range is broad, with upwards of 10 million less or more fish.
Though harvest is down from this year's catch of 42.9 million fish, the overall run would be 6 percent higher than the most recent 10-year average of 45.9 million fish in the Bay, and 23 percent above the long-term average.
All of the bay's river systems are expected to reach escapement goals.
Sockeye salmon accounted for $421.1 million (€382.2 million) in value this past season, accounting for 64 percent of the value of the entire Alaska salmon harvest, according to ADF&G.
Bristol Bay's sockeye salmon harvest alone accounted for $303.9 million (€275.8 million).
Harvesters in the region were paid an ex-vessel price on average of $1.35 (€1.22) per pound.
Earlier this week, ADF&G released its 2019 salmon harvest summary, showing a total harvest of 206.9 million fish with an estimated ex-vessel value of $657.6 million (€596.8 million), a rise of 10 percent over last year.
