Alaska-based harvester, processor and supplier Copper River Seafoods has decided to halt processing operations in the state's Cook Inlet during the salmon season on the Kenai Peninsula, citing rising production costs, area management changes and a poor forecast.

In a letter obtained by Alaska Public Media, CEO Scott Blake said in March they are handing over operations to a new company called Rogue Wave Processing.

"Their presence will provide permit holders another strong buyer in the Inlet," Blake said, adding the Rogue will be providing more details for its operations in the coming weeks.

Blake said Copper River will continue to build strong groundfish programs on the peninsula in Homer, Whittier and Cordova.

He added Copper River Seafoods will continue to operate in Prince William Sound and Bristol Bay, and that the company is currently recruiting fishermen for roles in those areas.

A large swath of Upper Cook Inlet will officially be closed to commercial salmon fishing this summer, the news site said. That change was approved by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in late 2020.

Following news of Copper River Seafoods pulling out of the region, OBI Seafoods announced this month it is “all in” in the Upper Cook Inlet and will operate all of its buying stations in the region for the 2022 salmon season.

“With other buyers pulling out of the region, we wanted to make it clear to fishermen and local communities that we will be there throughout the season to buy fish and support our fleet,” said OBI Seafoods Executive Vice President of Alaska Operations John Woodruff.

“We are very interested in talking to any Upper Cook Inlet fishermen who may be looking for a new market.”

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