Permit sales this week included Bristol Bay drift at $132,000, on par with recent sales, Alaska hand troll at $7,000, down from recent sales at $8,000, and Kodiak Tanner under 60' at $45,000. We currently have Bristol Bay drift permits listed as low as $135,000 and our highest offer is $125,000. We have a Kodiak Tanner under 60' available at $55,000.

ADFG published the 2023 salmon season summary for the Alaska Peninsula (Area M). The total harvest was 21,445,242 fish for a total ex-vessel value of $20,584,195. This compares to last year's harvest of 14,686,489 salmon worth $57,719,223 and a 10-year average harvest of 16,824,167 salmon, worth $36,005,912.

ADFG fishery announcements: 

• The 2024 Aleutian Islands state-waters sablefish GHL is 2,706,000 pounds.
• The state-waters Pacific cod GHLs and season dates were published for Aleutian Islands, Dutch Harbor, and Kodiak, Chignik, and South Alaska Peninsula.
• The Eastern Aleutian and Prince William Sound Tanner fisheries will both remain closed for 2024. 
• The 2024 Southeast Tanner and golden king crab fisheries will both open February 17. The registration deadline for both fisheries is January 18. The GKC fishery will have a GHL of 272,500 pounds and an 80-pot limit.

ATTN COOK INLET DRIFT FISHERMEN: NMFS is looking for comments on the proposed federal management of the Cook Inlet fishery occurring in the EEZ (federal waters). Here's the gist of it:

"This action—Amendment 16 and the proposed rule—would result in separate federal management of salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ. The State of Alaska would continue to manage all salmon fishing within state waters. Federal management would implement new requirements for commercial drift gillnet vessels fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ. Fishing in the EEZ would occur on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning on or after June 19 each year until either the total allowable catch is taken or August 15. Commercial fishing vessels would have to obtain a federal permit, maintain a fishing logbook, and have a vessel monitoring system installed on their vessels. Commercial fishing vessels would not be allowed to participate in the federal fishery at the same time as participating in the state water fishery."

For more information, read the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register. These are massive changes. If you have thoughts to share, please submit a written comment by the December 18 deadline. NMFS is required to respond in writing to all comments. To comment, click the green button at the top that says "submit a formal comment."