Japanese market has collapsed for Alaska herring catch

The arrival of herring signals the start of Alaska’s spring fisheries and this year’s commercial catch limits from each of the three main areas are record breakers. But much of the catch will go unharvested — there is no market.

Combined harvests from three prime producing areas total 118,346 tons, or nearly 237 million pounds.

The limit for the Sitka Sound harvest in late March is set at over 45,164 tons, followed the first days of April at Kodiak where a harvest of 8,075 tons is allowed. Alaska’s largest roe herring fishery at Togiak in Bristol Bay kicks off in May, with a whopping catch lim...