Laine Welch
Laine Welch has covered the Alaska fish beat for print and radio since 1988. She also has worked “behind the counter” at retail and wholesale seafood companies in Kodiak and on Cape Cod. She retired in April 2022 from her Fish Factor reports, but now produces a blog at alaskafish.news.
Pandemic boosts customers yearning for wild Alaska seafood
The Wild Alaskan Company based in Homer has taken “mission based” seafood e-commerce to a whole new level.
Fish Factor: Lack of fish in freezers is increasing customer demand
A lack of fish in the freezers is an encouraging sign for Alaska salmon as we head into the new year, driven by increasing customer demand. But headwinds from trade disputes and the COVID pandemic also loom large on the 2021 horizon.
Lightly seasoned salmon strips are a tasty, health baby food
“I also wanted to honor our indigenous families and traditions and share how natural, nutrient-rich omega strips can be so good for a little one to enjoy. Instead of a cookie or cracker, a frozen salmon strip,” said Zoi Maroudas, Bambino’s founder and operator.
Fish Factor: Alaska’s total salmon catch down 44% from 2019
Tamped down prices due to toppled markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic combined with low salmon returns to many Alaska regions added up to reduced paychecks for fishermen and will mean lower tax revenues for fishing communities.
Fish Factor: Commercial harvesting job numbers swing below five-year average
The number of boots on deck in Alaska has declined and most fisheries have lost jobs over the past five years. Overall, Alaska’s harvesting sector ticked downward by 848 jobs from 2015 through 2019.
Fish Factor: Some ups, mostly downs for salmon permit values
After a salmon season that successfully fished its way through a pandemic and upturned markets, the value of Alaska salmon permits is ticking up in two regions while toppling in others.
Fish Factor: PWS fisheries board meeting set for March 30-April 5 in Cordova
Many Alaska fishermen are likely to be involved in regulatory meetings next spring instead of being out on the water. And Alaska legislators will be distracted by hearings for hundreds of unconfirmed appointments as they tackle contentious budgets and other pressing issues.
Fish Factor: Collapsible pots keep whales off of black cod catch
Light-weight collapsible pots prevent whales from pirating pricey black cod from longline hooks and give a break to small boats.
Commentary: Vote for healthy oceans and thriving coastal communities
For Sen. Dan Sullivan, party loyalty is more important than the will of the Alaska public, writes Laine Welch.
Fish Factor: Young fishermen get financial help to buy into longline fisheries
More young Alaskans are officially among the next generation of professional fishermen and ocean stewards to hail from Cordova, Haines, Homer, Ketchikan and Sitka.
