Plagued by challenging market, Alaska pink salmon harvest unlikely to meet full potential as fishermen, processors throw in the towel

Several million Alaska pink salmon are unlikely to be harvested this season as both fishermen and the region's biggest processor cease fishing operations earlier than expected.

On Aug. 7, Alaska salmon processing giant Trident Seafoods said it would stop accepting pink salmon for processing beginning Sept. 1, stating the flood of pink salmon both in Alaska and Russia is overwhelming global markets and driving down prices to lows not seen since the 1990s.

"I am concerned that many fishermen who rely solely on fishing may not be prepared to weather this market storm,

Canfisco-owned Alaska General Seafoods has also stopped buying pinks in Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound, the two key pink salmon fishing areas, a source familiar with the company confirmed to IntraFish on Tuesday.