Local Time: 7:51 AM AKDT (GMT -08)
Lat/Lon: 58.8° N 137.0° W
Elevation :: 33 feet
Temperature :: 46 F
Conditions :: Overcast
Windchill :: 45 °F
Humidity :: 93%
Dew Point :: 45 F
Wind :: 4 mph from the NE
Pressure :: 29.83 in (Rising)
Visibility :: 10.0 miles
UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds :: Overcast 1100 ft
(Above Ground Level)
Lat/Lon: 58.8° N 137.0° W
Elevation :: 33 feet
Temperature :: 46 F
Conditions :: Overcast
Windchill :: 45 °F
Humidity :: 93%
Dew Point :: 45 F
Wind :: 4 mph from the NE
Pressure :: 29.83 in (Rising)
Visibility :: 10.0 miles
UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds :: Overcast 1100 ft
(Above Ground Level)
Last updated September 18, 2009 6:43 p.m. PT
Pollock survey shows fewer fish than anticipated (click title to entry - thank you)
By MARY PEMBERTON
Pollock survey shows fewer fish than anticipated (click title to entry - thank you)
By MARY PEMBERTON
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Pollock numbers in the Bering Sea continue to remain depressed despite expectations from government scientists that large amounts of young fish were growing to harvestable size.
Two surveys provide a dim outlook for the bland, white fish that accounts for the largest commercial fishery by weight in the United States worth about $1 billion after processing. The meat is used mostly in fish sticks and fish-fillet sandwiches and to make imitation crab meat.
The 2009 survey data was presented Friday at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Seattle. While preliminary, it confirmed the pollock population remains low.
Doug DeMaster, director of NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, said the pollock spawning biomass has declined below target levels.
"Fewer young fish entered the population between 2001 and 2005," he said.
The surveys were 24 percent below what scientists expected, said Jon Warrenchuk, a fisheries biologist for conservation group Oceana who attended the meeting.
Two surveys provide a dim outlook for the bland, white fish that accounts for the largest commercial fishery by weight in the United States worth about $1 billion after processing. The meat is used mostly in fish sticks and fish-fillet sandwiches and to make imitation crab meat.
The 2009 survey data was presented Friday at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Seattle. While preliminary, it confirmed the pollock population remains low.
Doug DeMaster, director of NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, said the pollock spawning biomass has declined below target levels.
"Fewer young fish entered the population between 2001 and 2005," he said.
The surveys were 24 percent below what scientists expected, said Jon Warrenchuk, a fisheries biologist for conservation group Oceana who attended the meeting.
"This is the lowest survey biomass they have ever seen, which is kind of worrisome," he said.
Pollock population estimates were low even before Friday's news. The previous assessment indicated that the 2008 spawning biomass was at its lowest level in nearly 30 years....
Pollock population estimates were low even before Friday's news. The previous assessment indicated that the 2008 spawning biomass was at its lowest level in nearly 30 years....
