Petersburg Pilot -

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced the Sitka Sound herring roe fishery is on a two-hour notice as of 8 a.m. March 20.

A test sample taken March 17 from shallow waters near Magic Island revealed a high percentage of immature roe with an average weight of 201 grams, which is higher than average.

Although the immaturity levels during that time were considered high, the past several days may have allowed more growth time as well as the separation of less mature herring from the mature schools.

The guideline harvest level this season is more than 16,000 tons—up from last year.

Fishermen have a short period of time to catch the herring before females spawn.

48 seiners participate in the fishery.