The Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is scheduled for a 3 p.m. opening Wednesday. It is the first opening of the season as fishermen try to catch more than 11,500 tons of the small silverfish. Herring eggs are valued on the Japenese market.
State fishery managers like to see 10 percent mature roe before calling an opening. A sample taken Wednesday was at 12.9.
The fishery area is between Bieli Rock and Makhnati Island. No word on how long the fishery will be open.
Ed Ronco is a reporter at KCAW in Sitka.
