WASHINTTON COAST (March 1, 2002) — Harvest of blackcod, one of the economic pillars of the coastal tribal communities,
has been cut by 37 percent this season. The oily bottom-dwelling blackcod is prized in Japan, and more recently, in fine
restaurants throughout the United States. In recent years, tribal fisherman were getting up to $4 a pound for blackcod,
compared to 40 cents a pound received for coho salmon this past season.
Last year, the tribal blackcod allocation was more than 669 metric tons. This year, the total tribal catch is 424 metric
tons. The reduction was in response to a low population of spawning-age fish. While populations seem to be on the upswing,
this year
