As you may know, the State of Alaska has been addressing the market challenges for wild salmon with a variety of strategies, including sponsorship of the third Alaska Salmon Forum. This year s forum addressed marketing, fleet reduction, freight costs, and industry relations. A key to moving more salmon into these types of value-added products is the machine removal of pin bones from fillets. This, too, will be tested in a processing plant this season. However, we have not yet turned the corner toward the rising prices necessary to sustain this vital industry and the communities it supports.
Canned salmon is still the backbone of the pink salmon industry.
However, new salmon products are being developed and introduced into the market place and will be increasingly important to the future of the industry. The salmon nugget and pouch products in school lunch programs have been applauded not only for taste and quality but also as healthy high-protein food. Another USDA purchase of canned product would promote stability and show support of Alaska s salmon industry. Enclosed is a short report revealing the salmon forecasts for the 1999 salmon season. Please accept my thanks for your continued support of this program.