Study Links Ocean Conditions to Salmon Bycatch in Alaska's Bering Sea Pollock Fishery
UNITED STATES Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 09:00 (GMT + 9)
New Research Offers Insights to Inform Sustainable Management of One of the World's Largest Fisheries A new study by NOAA Fisheries and its partners is shedding light on how oceanographic conditions influence salmon bycatch in the crucial eastern Bering Sea pollock fishery. This research is deepening the understanding of factors contributing to encounters between pollock fisheries and salmon, supporting efforts to manage a sustainable Alaska pollock fishery while minimizing bycatch. Bycatch Challenges in the Pollock Fishery The Alaska pollock fishery in the eastern Bering Sea is a global powerhouse, landing more than 2 billion pounds of pollock on average and contributing to nearly half of all global pollock production. However, the unintentional capture, or bycatch, of Chinook and chum salmon—especially those originating from Western Alaskan populations—p... FULL STORY