Fish Factor: April brought mixed bag for several Alaska fisheries, starting with huge slump in herring haul at Sitka Sound

Spring is usually the busiest time of year for brokers in the buy/sell/trade business for Alaska salmon permits. But that’s not the case this year.

Values for several salmon permits had ticked upwards after a blockbuster salmon fishery in 2017, but they have remained stagnant since last fall.

“That sort of summarizes the salmon permit market. There is not a lot of excitement about any of them,” said Doug Bowen of Alaska Boats and Permits in Homer.

A lackluster catch forecast for the upcoming salmon season - down 34 percent – has helped dampen enthusiasm.

Even at the one big bright spot at Bris...