Results of the acoustic-trawl survey of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) in Shelikof Strait, Chirikof Shelfbreak, and Marmot Bay March 2025 (DY25-03)

Scientists from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducted acoustic-trawl surveys in the Gulf of Alaska during winter 2025 to estimate the distribution and abundance of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) at three of their primary spawning grounds. These pre-spawning walleye pollock surveys covered the Shelikof Strait, Chirikof Shelfbreak, and Marmot Bay regions. Abundance estimates were based on an analysis where backscatter was attributed to all trawl-captured species and size classes using the biological length-frequency data from the nearest trawl locations. Abundance estimates also included a correction for escapement of fishes and other catch from the survey trawl (i.e., net selectivity).