US: OBI, Silver Bay, and Trident CEOs predict a year of recovery for Alaska salmon sector

Though the salmon sector in the U.S. state of Alaska is facing unsettling times, OBI Seafoods CEO John Hanrahan, Silver Bay Seafoods CEO Cora Campbell, and Trident Seafoods CEO Joe Bundrant are hopeful 2024 will bring more stability and profits.In 2023, Alaska’s total salmon harvest exceeded 200 million fish for just the 10th time ever, but low prices and an early halt to fish purchases frustrated many fishermen, resulting in the Alaska Legislature declaring the state’s seafood industry to be in an “economic crisis.”Following that, several companies announced plant closures and sales, with Peter Pan Seafoods entering receivership and Trident Seafoods in the midst of offloading several processing facilities. Amid this uncertainty, Alaska’s 2024 salmon season kicked off 16 May with the opening of the Copper River sockeye season. U.S. restaurants have already started to offer salmon from this year's season in promotional deals.As of 21 May, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s ...