Post date:
Mon, 05/10/2021 - 11:48am
Trident Seafoods President of Alaska Operations Vic Scheibert, left, and CEO Joe Bundrant hold up one of the first Copper River king salmon of the 2020 season. Depressed demand amid pandemic restaurant closures and a poor return contributed to a rough season a year ago, but interest is picking up with the season set to begin May 17. (Photo/Courtesy/Alaska Airlines)
Alaska’s 2021 salmon officially starts on May 17 with a 12-hour opener for reds and kings at the Copper River.
All eyes will be on early Cordova dock prices for Alaska’s famous “first fresh salmon of the season” as an indicator of wild salmon markets. COVID-19 closures of high end restaurants and seafood outlets in 2020 tanked starting prices to $3 per pound for sockeyes and $6.50 for king salmon, down from $10 and $14, respectively the previous year.