August 6-Deep Inlet Cost Recovery Update

Cost recovery in Deep Inlet has continued to progress and between Monday and Wednesday this week 10% of the goal was achieved and is currently at 60% of total. Cost recovery will resume Saturday August 8th. Although cost recovery progress appears to be increasing a reopening next week (stat wk 33) is unlikely. Recent harvest in the Sitka Sound area indicates a continued build of the fall summer chum return moving into the sound with trollers harvesting 23,000 last week and improved success this week with a harvest already over 10,000. Troll harvest samples this week indicate 100% of  the sound chum harvest is the fall return with an 8.6lb average and a 68% male sex ratio. The age component breakdown is 12% age-3, 80% age-4 and 8% age-5. It is anticipated the cost recovery harvest rates will continue to increase as the chum begin to move into the Deep Inlet THA. Once cost recovery is complete a reopening announcement will be made with a minimum of 48 hour notice.