Whitefish

Pressure builds on Alaska pollock industry to reduce chum salmon bycatch

The Alaska pollock industry used genetic data and incentive plan agreements in 2022 to reduce chum salmon bycatch from the previous year, but are these voluntary measures enough?

The chum salmon -- also called keta -- has been a critical subsistence food source for Native Alaskans. The decline in the population is prompting calls for reductions in bycatch by Alaska pollock harvesters.
The chum salmon -- also called keta -- has been a critical subsistence food source for Native Alaskans. The decline in the population is prompting calls for reductions in bycatch by Alaska pollock harvesters.Photo: Mamezo1966/Flickr
Bering SeaAt-Sea Processors AssociationAlaska pollockChum salmon
Published 30 January 2023, 14:00Updated 30 January 2023, 18:01