Greetings SPC owners,
Spring Kings: The spring king openings started near
Sitka this week. Production has been slow so far. The normal trend is to
have catch rates increase weekly throughout May and June. ADF&G has
been doing a great job trying to give trollers as much access to these
hatchery chinook as possible. Prices are $8.00/lb for troll caught
kings. California has opened for king trolling. Copper River opens up
shortly. These other fisheries will add to the available product on the
market and hold prices down. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1029797872.pdf
Dinglebar: The targeted fishery for Lingcod opens May 16th
at 12:01am. SPC is going to be buying as much of this fishery as we
can. We will be posting cash prices for lingcod and bycatch yelloweye
close to the opening of the fishery. The market is stable for these
fish. We expect the prices to be similar to what we were offering during
the yelloweye fishery earlier this year. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1016312933.pdf
Longline Bait: Small pollock is still hard to find. We
have two options in stock now. Our next container of small pollock from
Japan just cleared customs in Seattle. It will be on it’s way north
shortly. Part of the load is very small, 100-200 grams. Part of the load
is small, 200-300 grams. The reports that we have gotten from fishermen
who have used this pollock are positive. There is also a container of
jig caught, frozen at sea ilex squid on the way north. Two pallets of
Pacific Sauri are also in the next load of Bait. We will get this
unloaded and priced as soon as it arrives. We also have affordable squid
and pollock available for pot fishing.
Tenders: I am glad to announce that our Troll tenders
renewed their contracts for the year. We have the Sealion and Deer
Harbor II on contract for 2019. Norm and Amber will offer the same
great service as before. The Harmony is on deck to help us out at
Crawfish Inlet when those chums show up. I will send more updates on
tender service as we approach the summer troll season.
Longline Prices: Halibut prices have been volatile all
year. There is continued pressure from Atlantic fresh halibut
competition. Most of our halibut is going out fresh. Prices currently
are at 5.00/5.50/5.75. Black cod prices are mostly unchanged in the last
month. Current sablefish prices are $7.60/6.50/4.00/3.00/2.00/1.50. The
SE sablefish quota is 31% caught as of 5/7/19. https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/reports/19ifqland.htm
Volume and Pooling: Overall, our volumes across the
dock have been substantially higher than last year. This is pretty
exciting when longline quotas are unchanged from 2018. If this trend
continues throughout the season, it will have a positive affect on our
operating costs and will help the final settlements. The One-Pool system
means that early volume from longline will benefit all of the rest of
our pooled product throughout the year.
Safe Travels
Good Fishing,
Stephen Rhoads
srhoads@spcsales.com
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