National Fisherman

Laine Welch

Contributor

Laine Welch is an independent Kodiak, Alaska-based fisheries journalist. Click here to send her an email.

Author Archive

Bruce Marifern’s Freedom wraps up a 230-ton set in Hayward Strait, with Alaskan Girl pumping, on day two of the Sitka sac roe herring fisher. Brannon Finney photo

Herring catch could set records — if there were enough buyers

The Solomon Gulch Hatchery is owned by the Valdez Fisheries Development Association, and was completed in 1983 with a mission is to ensure sufficient numbers of wild salmon for both sport and commercial fisheries in and around Valdez, Alaska. Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau photo

Ranked by region: Hatcheries produced a third of Alaska’s salmon catch in 2021

Gear design and lights are effective tools to prevent bycatch. NOAA photo.

Alaska’s bycatch task force meets again, launches public archive

Salmon seine. Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute photo

Alaska lawmakers take up seafood trade deficit

Alaska Bering Sea crab crew pulls a pot on deck. ASMI/Chris Miller photo

Alaska bycatch updates: Task force meets this week

2020 Gulf of Alaska Tanner crab on the F/V Lucid Dream. Kinsey Justa/ASMI photo

Kodiak Tanner crab opens at almost double the 2020 price

Bristol Bay gillnetting. ASMI/Bri Dwyer photo

Best and Worst in Alaska Seafood: Laine Welch’s Picks and Pans for 2021

NF_Sept_20_Market_ATL_Groundfish_NOAA trawl net — Groundfish trawl. NOAA photo.

Video: Lights help salmon escape trawl nets

Nicole Baker-Loke (second from left), founder of Net Your Problem, speaks at Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. Doug Stewart photo

Gear recycling reaches milestone in commercial fishing communities

Solomon Falls hatchery. Valdez Fisheries Development Association photo

Alaska Fish Picks: Hatchery hits, bycatch comments, oil and gas leases