Another strong Bristol Bay sockeye season forecast for 2023

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is projecting another strong year for Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishing in 2023.

Following a record-breaking 2022, the ADFG is forecasting a run of 51 million sockeye. Although that’s a 35 percent decrease from this year’s catch, next year’s estimate is still projected to be among the top five strongest in the last 20 years, and 40 percent greater than the average annual run recorded since 1963.

Since 2001, the ADFG has on average underforecast the Bristol Bay run by …

Photo courtesy of Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association