The herring fishery is the largest potential commercial fishery in Norton Sound.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Norton Sound herring fishery generally sustained an annual harvest of about 5,000 metric tons. Since 2002, however, the harvest has been much lower, with an average harvest of fewer than 700 tons; and there have been a number of years with only a small bait fishery.

For several years, NSEDC has been providing support for the herring fishery by means of aerial surveys, whether it is for a small bait fishery, such as took place in 2009, or for a larger sac roe fishery, such as took place in 2010. In either case, these surveys give local fishermen vital information on incoming herring biomass and ice movement. They are vital for improving the quality and efficiency of the harvest.

Norton Sound herring is a large biomass that is currently under-utilized; we will continue to look for alternative times, locations and methods for commercially harvesting this resource.

For more information contact:
Charlie Lean
NSFR&D Director
Charlie@nsedc.com

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