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Sitka Today
By the People, for the People
Sitka Herring Fishery Opens for Spring Season
About 20 seiners fishing in Crescent Bay and Jamestown Bay east of town
Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:05am
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The annual opening of the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery signals the start of a vital spring harvest for the local Alaskan community.Sitka TodayThe Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery opened at noon today, with around 20 fishing vessels operating in an area that includes Crescent Bay and Jamestown Bay east of Sitka, Alaska. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates the fishery will last until the processors reach their capacity of about 500 to 600 tons for the day.
Why it matters
The annual herring fishery in Sitka Sound is an important economic driver for the local community, marking the start of the spring fishing season. Herring roe is a highly valued delicacy in Asian markets, making this a lucrative fishery for Alaskan fishermen.
The details
Aaron Dupuis, the area management biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said the fishery is 'going pretty well' so far on the opening day. The department has been conducting vessel sonar and aerial surveys, as well as test sets, in the days leading up to the fishery opening. The guideline harvest level for this year's fishery is 35,015 tons, which is 15% of the 233,433 tons of mature herring that managers expect to return this year.
- The Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery opened at noon on March 29, 2026.
- The fishery is expected to last until the processors reach their capacity of about 500 to 600 tons for the day.
The players
Aaron Dupuis
Area management biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
What they’re saying
“It's the first opening of the year, and it's going pretty well.”
— Aaron Dupuis, Area management biologist
What’s next
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will continue to monitor the fishery and conduct surveys to ensure the sustainable management of the herring population.
The takeaway
The annual herring fishery in Sitka Sound is a crucial economic and cultural event for the local community, marking the start of the spring fishing season and providing a valuable export product to Asian markets.
