Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano: Will it disrupt salmon-fishing season?

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has been relatively quiet -- it remains at an "orange" watch level instead of a "red" eruption level -- but it's still emitting steam and producing interesting imagery for the region. Redoubt is located about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and 50 miles west of the Kenai Peninsula.

The question is not if but when the volcano will erupt anew.  According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, seismicity remains elevated, and numerous small earthquakes are occurring within the peak. With Alaska's lucrative salmon-fishing season set to begin next month, there are a lot of concerned concessionaires, especially on the Kenai.

I've talked to some, who predict the volcano will not have an affect on the fisheries themselves. But any new series of eruptions is sure to affect airline service, and that could be devastating for business. The volcano does not present a safety threat to tourists, aside from diminishing the normally pristine air quality.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Turen Grice / courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

Comments

[EricDowney]

The wild salmon harvests are healthy and bountiful here in AK, and the volcano won't change that. The ash plumes can cause airlines to cancel some flights, particularly at night. So it's best to book a daytime flight.

The volcano is yet another reminder that Alaska is a tremendously wild place. Come catch a salmon on the Kenai while watching the volcano smoking in the distance. Does it get any better than that?

[Bill Webber]

I am a wild salmon harvester from Cordova AK and I would like to dispel any concerns about Mt Redoubt affecting Alaska's upcoming Copper River fishery. We have been fortunate to not have seen any ash in this region of the state. Our season opens in mid May and is 200+ miles to the east of the volcano activity. While the Volcano has had significant disruptions to air traffic and cargo over the past month, most scientists agree that any future activity will be intermittent and phase out over the next few months back to a dormant volcano. Actually the more I think about it, this act of nature I don't think even poses a threat to our fisheries.

[LivingAudio]

When i hear 'VOLCANOE Errupting" somehow save the salmon isnt on my list of priorities, maybe after the volcano is done spewing hot LAVA and burning the features off my face might i see if the salmon are "disrupted"
But i would like them to be safe (^_^)

[Gregory]

What? "No safety threat.." was that actually written by a competent individual?

The earthquakes alone threaten tsunamis. Check the USGS web pages pubs.water.usgs.gov/fs-118-00 - 23k if you want real info, do not waste your eyes on this type of press release.

[Ric Snyder]

I am a salmon fishing guide, 20 miles from the peak of the volcano....I am more interested in seeing what the effects will be on local bear activity, if it is erupting during the upcoming season. If the ash is going straight up and then drifting, probably no fallout in our fishing arena. If belching, and drifting NE, possible disruption on our flight services.