2019 Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Salmon Fishery Season Summary
The 2019 Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) commercial harvest of approximately 2.1 million salmon was 37% less than the previous 10-year average annual harvest of 3.2 million fish (Table 1). While all five species of Pacific salmon are present in UCI, sockeye salmon are the most valuable, accounting for nearly 93% of the total value during the past 20 years. The 2019 preseason forecast projected a total run of 6.0 million sockeye salmon (Table 2). The estimated actual run, based on preliminary data, was 5.2 million fish, or 13% less than forecast. The exvessel value of the 2019 harvest of all salmon species of approximately $18 million was 40% less than the previous 10-year average annual ex-vessel value of $30 million. All species-specific exvessel values were below average in 2019 for UCI.
UCI salmon escapements in 2019 were mixed. In total, there are seven sockeye salmon systems, sixteen king salmon systems, four coho salmon systems, and one chum salmon system with escapement goals that were monitored in 2019 (Table 3). For the 2019 season, sockeye salmon escapement objectives were exceeded at the Kenai River (inriver goal), Kasilof River, and Fish Creek; were met at Chelatna and Judd lakes; and were below at Larson Lake. The final escapement estimate for Packers Lake was incomplete due to a video malfunction. Run timing of sockeye salmon inlet-wide was estimated to be at least two days late (based on offshore test fish data). A total of seven out of 16 king salmon sustainable escapement goals (SEGs) were met in the Susitna River and West Cook areas; two of the 16 systems were unassessed in 2019 due to turbid water. The lower end of the Kenai River early-run king salmon Optimal Escapement Goal (OEG) was achieved, but the late-run Kenai River king salmon SEG was not achieved. The Little Susitna River king salmon SEG was achieved, but the lower end of the Deshka River king salmon SEG was not achieved. Coho salmon assessments were above the goal at Jim Creek, within the goal at Fish Creek and Deshka River, and below the goal at the Little Susitna River. Finally, the chum salmon aerial census SEG was met in the Chinitna Bay tributaries.
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