Wrangell Sentinel -

After a strong return of pink salmon to Southeast last year, state fisheries managers are forecasting a commercial harvest of just over 16 million fish this summer, one-third the level of last year’s catch of 48.5 million pinks.

“During recent decades, Alaska-wide pink salmon returns have tended to be larger” during odd-numbered years than even-numbered years, the Department of Fish and Game noted in its annual forecast released April 19.

Last summer’s pink harvest was on track with the 10-year average for odd-numbered years (2010-2019), the state reported.

The report also forecasts a drop in...