Strong demand for halibut pushed ex-vessel prices higher this week, with fishermen delivering into Homer receiving $8.40/$8.70/$9.00 on Friday. As much of the fleet turns their attention to salmon, there's optimism that we could see these high prices continue through the summer.

Quota sales during the week included small 3A C class blocks going for $23.00, 3A D class blocks selling for $18.00-$19.00 and a small block of fished 2C at $31.00. Medium sized blocks of 3B sold at $14.50-$15.00. We still aren't seeing any movement in the black cod quota market, although a few buyers are interested in SE unblocked shares and willing to pay at least $6.75.

Meanwhile, fishermen continue to report very scratchy fishing in all areas. If you've been longlining this year and are feeling generous, please let us know what you're seeing! Reply to this email with your thoughts, which I'll share in future Fish Tickets (make sure to let me know whether or not you'd like to remain anonymous).

In pollock news, Westward Fleet Cooperative catcher vessels, as well as some Global Seas vessels, remained tied to the dock in Dutch Harbor at the start of the B season, which kicked off June 10, over price disputes with Westward Seafoods' Japanese parent company Maruha Nichiro. As B season opened, vessels and crew were still waiting on payment for A season deliveries and had yet to be given an advanced price for B season. Late on the 13th, they were given a fish ticket price of 12 cents.

And in Pacific cod news, wholesale prices for Alaska-origin fish rose by 5 cents, bolstered by increased demand, high prices for Atlantic cod, tariffs, and market uncertainty.

At its June meeting, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council took action "to update the definition of pelagic trawl gear to allow required salmon excluders and to incentivize gear innovation and develop spatial closures for the pollock fleet in 2026 to protect Bristol Bay red king crab, after receiving significant public testimony and several analytical presentations." The Council also made a motion that requesting progress be made on pelagic trawl gear innovation.

What else? 

Governor Dunleavy cut half of the $10 million in state funding he'd personally proposed for ASMI, citing low oil prices and decreased revenues. The remaining $5 million is still $5 million more than the $0.00 ASMI got from the state last year.

Senators Murkowski and King (I-ME) reintroduced the Working Waterfronts Act, designed to bolster shoreside infrastructure and coastal economies by supporting workforce development, alternative energy initiatives, community processing facilities, and promoting safety and wellness.

Canadian snow crab imports are dominating the market, but with prices 30-50% higher than last year, concerns are growing over longterm prospects. Read Les Hodges full crab report here.

Kodiak fisherman Gabriel Prout testified last week to the US Senate Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, chaired by Sen. Dan Sullivan, on the effects of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

Federal lawmakers proposed a resolution condemning the use of "flags of convenience," wherein vessels are registered in countries with lower standards and enforcement to avoid taxes and regulations in their home nation, which they say enables IUU fishing.

Seafood spending ahead of Father's Day was projected to hit $24 billion this year, an increase of more than $1.5B over last year, despite inflation and tariffs. Happy Father's Day, eat more fish! 

If you haven't had enough fun defending the benefits of wild salmon over farmed, try this on for size: San Francisco startup Wildtype received FDA approval to sell cell-cultured coho salmon, a first for the entire world, literally. 

Silver Bay Seafoods CEO Cora Campbell provided updates on the SBS/OBI integration, noting that the transition is complete and SBS now manages all of OBIs facilities under the SBS name (the name "OBI" is no more).

Together, Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish were awarded nearly $2 million in USDA contracts for frozen pollock fish sticks and fillets. 2025 USDA purchases of Alaska pollock are now at 24,594,000 lbs, totaling $55.5 million. 

Last week's Bering Sea Barometer: Copper River salmon returns are looking dismal, and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meets to talk about trawl gear specs and pot cod rationalization.

This week's Alaska's Fisheries Report: Legislation that could make it easier for fishermen to get insurance, a chat with the CEO of Silver Bay Seafoods, and a funding fight that is uniting environmentalists and fishermen.