 Federal Buy Helps Strengthen Market Following Catch of 84 Million Pinks September 26, 2002
"Alaska fishermen landed over 84 million pink salmon this season, but fishermen, processors and coastal communities are all struggling because of low prices," Knowles said. "These continued government purchases of Alaska salmon help strengthen prices paid to fishermen and provide schools, food banks, and charitable institutions that participate in the federal food assistance program with a healthy and tasty source of protein." Alaska's harvest was led by Southeast fishermen who landed over 42 million pink salmon this year. Prince William Sound fishermen caught almost 19 million pinks and the Kodiak fleet landed over 18 million pinks. The total compares to a harvest of 127 million pink salmon last season and a record catch of 146 million in 1999, but still ranks as the 12th largest pink salmon harvest in Alaska history. According to a news release, responding to strong returns of wild salmon and declining prices paid to fishermen, Knowles has repeatedly pushed for federal purchases of Alaska salmon by supplying market information, advocating the fishermen's concerns, and seeking to expand product utilization by federal food programs. Now in its seventh year, the combined Agriculture Department purchases of Alaska salmon have totaled over $71 million. Salmon delivered under this program must have originated from landings of U.S. flag vessels. All USDA purchases are on a competitive bid basis. More information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/cp.
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