Here’s a image with the existing hatcheries in Southeast Alaska and a map of the proposed sites. With recent news articles (here) blasting the hatchery scene, I wonder if this is the best timing. I realize that this article is from a Petersburg Radio station, but at no point do they speak of this hatchery benefiting anyone, but Petersburg. Check out the audio after the jump.
A local ad hoc committee on commercial fishing this fall recommended Petersburg should pursue a new release site for hatchery salmon near Mitkof Island. Hatchery chum salmon releases have been worth tens of millions of dollars annually to Southeast’s fishing fleets and processing companies. However, Petersburg’s permit holders and processing tenders have had run elsewhere in Southeast to chase these fish. However, a new hatchery run closer to Petersburg is a possibility.