There is usually an abundance of this fish in the fall and early winter season. This is a usual harvest for most YK Delta coastal villages. Note: According to NOAA Bering Sea Bottom Trawl data, there has been an 88% decline reported in the biomass of saffron cod from 2020 to 2021 in the N. Bering Sea.
Observation by Cynthia Paniyak:
This years Fall season is the worst in tomcods (saffron cod). There is usually an abundance of this fish in the Fall and early winter season. This is a usual harvest for most YK Delta coastal villages. So far, I have heard of the nearby village of Hooper Bay did not see much of this fish either. I haven't heard of the other villages status. I have yet to hear if anyone catches them via dip net (on ice). Last year was slow too, but, this year is worse than that. Where are the tomcods???
LEO Network comment: This post has been shared with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. If other communities are experiencing similar harvest problems with tomcods, please let us know.
Gay Sheffield with Sea Grant and the "Strait Science" Lecture Series writes:
Lyle Britt (NOAA RACE Division) gave the region a Strait Science presentation last Thursday on the results of the 2021 N. Bering Sea Bottom Trawl survey (link below). Short story: There has been an 88% decline reported in the biomass of saffron cod from 2020 to 2021 in the N. Bering Sea. This was for offshore findings as their large vessel can't get nearshore in the shallower waters. The surface trawl survey can (or at least that's my current understanding) and that's why Lyle is interested to hear what they found this year. Have a watch as Lyle explains why he wants to hear the next Strait Science re. Saffron cod. Strait Science YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=putpYJtPRF8&t=4989s (go to the 36:33 time stamp on the video for saffron cod). Lastly, please see flyer below for this Thursday evening (11-Nov) where Jim Murphy (NOAA Fisheries - Juneau) will give the results of the NOAA N. Bering Sea Surface Trawl survey - more news of tomcods ahead!
Update on November 30, 2021:
Below are the recordings (on Youtube) from the two Strait Science presentations that recently provided the results of their surveys, including tomcod. If I remember correctly, both showed a clear decline in tomcod biomass in the N. Bering Sea. Please see below - and the time stamps where they each talk about saffron cod (Tomcod). You may want to watch the whole recording - as well as the questions/answer section at the end. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any other info from this end of things. -Gay
Jim Murphy (NOAA-AFSC) - N. Bering Sea Surface Trawl Survey results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiAoyu3nFzQ (see time stamp 19:52)
Lyle Britt (NOAA-RACE) - N. Bering Sea Bottom Trawl Survey results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=putpYJtPRF8&t=1677s (see time stamp 36:33)
Saffron cod