Halibut Prices Go High

Alaska halibut fishermen were likely to fetch high prices again as the season got under way on Saturday, March 8.

Longliners holding quota shares of the prized flatfish will haul in about 50 million pounds during the eight-month season, a drop of 2 million pounds from last year.

Whether the startup prices will mimic last year’s blowouts of well over $5 a pound in major ports remains to be seen, but it’s a given they will be high.

"Solid prices generally aren’t locked in until fishing deliveries are made. Prices will be good to start, but I would expect a rather steep backslide to the market by midweek," a major Kodiak processor said.

He added there is some reluctance by major buyers who "got stung fairly badly" on the high opening prices last year, when the halibut cost more than the market would absorb. There also is some inventory of frozen halibut in the nation’s freezers.

"Buyers will scramble to get the fish they need, and it will be expensive," predicted market watcher Ken Talley of Seafood Trend newsletter.

http://thedutchharborfisherman.com/news/story/1695

See also Alaska halibut fishing