Summer Salmon 2013 | The Summer Of Nevers

Occasionally, there are extraordinary moments in one’s life when the realization hits that they are experiencing a historical event firsthand. This summer’s experience in Alaska shattered all existing perceptions about commercial salmon fishing. What was the driving force behind this change? The weather, or the unprecedented number of fish? In reality, it was a mix of several seemingly minor elements that collectively defined the season. It became known as the Summer Of Nevers.

This season witnessed an unprecedented rally of over 267 million salmon into the hands of fishermen, marking it as the most significant run in history. In Southeast Alaska, record-breaking two-day harvests peaked at over 9 million pounds. Meanwhile, Prince William Sound was a hub of activity, with intense fishing of pink salmon. Due to the overwhelming volume of fish, many canneries and processors had to impose limits on the catch per boat. There are whispers of caps as low as 30,000 pounds for some seiners in Prince William Sound. Almost every cannery in Southeast Alaska, except for Ocean Beauty, implemented these limits. Even the acclaimed Silver Bay Seafoods, a newer entity founded by fishermen, struggled to keep pace with the influx. Canneries were inundated for days, facing challenges in recruiting enough workers to match the demand. Icicle Seafoods in Petersburg experienced a dramatic walkout of about 60 workers, overwhelmed by the excessive hours. Additionally, Alaska General Seafoods, with operations in Ketchikan and Canadian ties in Prince Rupert, faced difficulties in keeping their canning lines operational due to a shortage in the Canadian workforce. This season’s remarkable surge in pink salmon, dubbed the “humpynami,” took everyone by surprise, including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The run’s scale was revised upwards twice during the season as ADFG came to grips with its full magnitude.

The sun was relentless this year! Southeast Alaska basked in its finest summer weather in memory, with temperatures climbing to record highs for an unprecedented number of days. This dry spell, however, wasn’t without its issues, as several fish perished in dehydrated streams before they could spawn. A notable instance was at Petersburg’s Blind Slough Hatchery, where a significant number of Chinook salmon succumbed to the lethal combination of heat and low oxygen levels in the water. The state even set a new all-time high temperature record in Talkeetna this summer, reaching a scorching 96 degrees. Cordova also hit a new peak with a July temperature of 90 degrees. Meteorologists attribute this abnormal summer weather to a peculiar jet stream pattern, leaving many in the field amazed and puzzled. This trend spells trouble for Southeast Alaskan salmon, which rely on the moisture provided by the temperate rainforest. The full impact of this summer’s extraordinary weather on the region’s salmon populations remains to be seen with time.

On a personal note, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the captain and crew of the formidable F/V Quandary. After sixteen years of non-stop seining, I believed I had experienced everything the sea had to offer. Yet, this summer has been a revelation, filling me with indescribable joy. A huge shout-out to Captain Tom, Taylor, Steve, and Kris! Things will never be the same again. I believe a song is the best way to encapsulate this feeling – enjoy it! Also, keep an eye out for daily updates and videos from the recent season. I’m excited to share an upcoming tribute video in memory of my dear friend Jay Fisher. And there are grand plans in store for this year’s ComFishFilmFest. Stay tuned!