2021 Salmon Harvest Summary
— ADF&G Press Release

Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526


Press Release: November 1, 2021

CONTACT: Forrest R. Bowers, (907) 465-6139, forrest.bowers@alaska.gov

2021 Salmon Harvest Summary

(Juneau) — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has published preliminary harvest and value figures for the 2021 Alaska Commercial Salmon Fishery (PDF 361 kB).

The 2021 commercial salmon fishery all species harvest was valued at approximately $643.9 million, a significant increase from 2020's value of $295.2 million. A total of 233.8 million fish were harvested, a greater than 98% increase from the 2020 total harvest of 116.8 million fish. Of this total, sockeye salmon accounted for approximately 56% of the total value at $361.4 million and 24% of the harvest at just under 57.0 million fish. Pink salmon accounted for approximately 28% of the value at $178.8 million, and 69% of the harvest with under 161.0 million fish. Chum salmon accounted for almost 10% of the value at $62.7 million and approximately 6% of the harvest at 12.8 million fish. Coho salmon comprised approximately 4% of the value at $23.9 million and 1% of the harvest at 2.7 million fish. Chinook salmon harvest is estimated to be just over 265,000 fish with an estimated preliminary exvessel value of $17.1 million. A total of 6,362 individual permit holders made commercial salmon landings in 2021, a slight decrease from 2020 (6,496 permits).

When compared to the long-term time-series (1975-2020), the 2021 all-species commercial salmon harvest of 233.8 million fish and 858.5 million pounds is the third highest on record for both total fish harvested, and total pounds harvested. Adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2021 prices), the 2021 exvessel value estimate of $643.9 million is also the third highest exvessel value reported since 1975.

These are preliminary harvest and value estimates which will change as fish tickets are processed and finalized. Dollar values provided by ADF&G are based on estimated exvessel prices and do not include post-season price adjustments. The final value of the 2021 salmon fishery will be determined in 2022 after seafood processors, buyers, and direct marketers report total value paid to fishermen in 2021.