Strong Egegik and Wood River Genetic Signals from Port Moller Test Fishery Catches

The first genetic data from the ongoing Port Moller Test Fishery shows big percentages for sockeye bound for the Egegik and Wood Rivers. The stock composition estimates cover the 258 sockeye taken as part of the ongoing Port Moller Test Fishery from June 10th to the 15th. Figuring in a 6 to 9 travel time puts those fish in Bristol Bay’s 5 inshore fishing districts over the next few days. 190 sockeye were analyzed by the state’s Gene Conservation Laboratory. 34.4-percent of those fish were from the Egegik River stock and 27.8-percent were apparently bound for the Wood River. 9.8-percent were from the Kvichak River stock and 9.5-percent were from the North Peninsula stocks. 2.3-percent of the sockeye sampled were headed to the Ugashik River and 5.3-percent were from the Naknek River stock. 3.5-percent were identified as Alagnak River fish and 4.8-percent were headed to the Nushagak River. Just 0.3-percent of the analyzed sockeye were identified as from the Igushik River stock and 1.1-percent were bound for the Togiak River. Another 1.3-percent were identified as Kuskokwim River sockeye. The Port Moller Sockeye Stock Composition Summary can be found online on the website of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. BBEDC is the parent organization for the Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute, which runs the Port Moller Test Fishery. The weather has turned sour on the fishing grounds and the test fishery was weathered out on Tuesday and Wednesday.