Unalaska, AK – The Aleutian Islands state-waters sablefish season is set to open ten days from now on May 15, and the guideline harvest level has been set at 523,000 pounds.

Last year, 29 vessels took part in the season. So far, just a fraction of that has registered to participate this year, according to Trent Hartill, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

"We have only a handful of boats registered, which isn't too surprising," says Hartill. Typically there isn't a lot of interest in the sablefish fishery in the Aleutians for a variety of reasons: it's difficult to fish, there's a steep learning curve, there's not a processor in Adak currently. So there are a lot of challenges for people entering the fishery."

But Hartill says that high prices might encourage more boats to participate.

"I have heard reports of an ex-vessel of approximately $9/lb," says Hartill. "So there is some impetus for people to go out and give it a shot. However, we'll see how many actually do."

Unless the guideline harvest level is exhausted, the season will close on November 15.

The total allowable catch in the federal fishery has been set at 23 million pounds, and 5 million have been harvested.