The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has begun its herring surveys in the Sitka Sound this week ahead of the sac roe herring fishery opening.

According to reports from Sitka Area Management Biologist Aaron Dupuis, no herring schools or spawn have been spotted from the air since surveys began on March 13.

However, herring predators including humpback whales and sea lions have been repeatedly spotted in the area.

Sea lions have been seen daily along the Kruzof Island shoreline between Inner Point and Rob Point and were seen traveling north in the Neva Strait on Tuesday.

Humpback whales have al...