By Jackie Bartz and Chris Klint Channel 2 News KTUU

11:57 a.m. AKDT, March 31, 2011
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened the 2011 Sitka herring sac roe fishery Thursday afternoon, giving the green light to waiting vessels at 1:40 p.m.

The herring fleet in Sitka had been on a two-hour notice for the fishery to commence since 8 a.m. Monday. Processors worked closely with Fish and Game throughout the week to take roe samples and determine whether they are sufficiently mature to harvest.

Some 48 boats are fishing this year, with a herring quota of over 19,000 tons.

Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com