The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened a two-day commercial geoduck fishery in Kaigani Strait this week, targeting the final 7,000 pounds of quota in waters south of Ketchikan.

Emergency Order 1M2226 allows harvest from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 23, in Subdistrict 103-30-001. The opening covers waters south of a line from Luke Point to Long Island.

The 7,000-pound quota is what remains after earlier harvests this season. The department set an initial guideline harvest level of 22,300 pounds for this subdistrict in August 2025. Previous openings in January and February took most of that allocation.

Commercial divers must label all geoducks with harvest date, harvester name, and location. Buyers must report their purchases to the Fish and Game office in Ketchikan by noon on Friday, April 24.

Kaigani Strait sits in Southeast Alaska between Prince of Wales Island and the southern tip of Dall Island. The waters are part of a broader Southeast Alaska geoduck fishery with a total guideline harvest level of 443,600 pounds for the 2025-26 season.

Geoducks are large burrowing clams that can live more than 100 years. Most Alaska geoducks go to live export markets in Asia, where they command premium prices. The fishery requires specialized diving equipment and knowledge of tidal patterns and substrate conditions.

The short harvest window reflects ongoing season management as the department works through quota allocations across multiple Southeast Alaska subdistricts. Weather conditions, vessel availability, and shellfish toxin testing can all affect whether divers can take advantage of brief openings.

The department manages geoduck harvests through a series of emergency orders that open specific areas for limited periods. This approach allows biologists to monitor harvest rates and adjust openings based on quota remaining and environmental conditions.

Commercial fishermen interested in participating must hold valid geoduck dive fishery permits. The fishery operates under state regulations that set harvest methods, reporting requirements, and area boundaries.

The Ketchikan Fish and Game office oversees commercial fisheries management for much of Southeast Alaska. Staff there track harvest reports and coordinate with buyers and processors on quota monitoring.

For commercial divers and buyers working the Southeast Alaska geoduck fishery, these brief openings require quick mobilization. Vessels must be ready to deploy, crews assembled, and processing arrangements confirmed before the window opens.

The April opening comes as the 2025-26 season moves toward its conclusion. The department typically announces geoduck openings throughout the fall, winter, and spring as conditions allow and quota remains available in specific subdistricts.