The Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery opened at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday under a cooperative model.

Dave Gordon, area management biologist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said the decision was made by permit holders to eliminate competition and lower costs to “make it worthwhile to go after the product” as the market is poor.

It wasn’t a popular decision among tenders, however.

“There’s a lot less boats here,” said Tanner Mackiewicz, president of the Alaska Independent Tendermen’s Association. “A lot of people without jobs.”

He said there were about 15 tenders part...