Since the Copper River salmon season began in May, Alaska fishermen have experienced the ups and downs of having a market hungry for the coveted fish with very few opportunities to catch those fish.
After three lackluster fishing periods earlier in May, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) closed the Prince William Sound to commercial fisherman for a total of seven fishing periods from May 25 through June 6.
The closure of the fishery because of low fish counts--which lasted over two weeks during a crucial selling and marketing period--has left a permanent mark on the rest of this year's season, which lasts into the fall.
