Federal Subsistence Board News

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2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #9 Fall Update # 2, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

08/03/2021

Districts Affected: Yukon Area

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is anticipated to be critically low, similar to this season’s summer chum salmon that was the lowest on record. The fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum salmon and fall chum salmon run sizes, is for a run size less than 300,000 fish. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the preseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the current run projection is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives. Lower Yukon River assessment projects are tracking well below average for fall chum salmon. The fall chum salmon run is past the historical quarter point at the sonar project near Pilot Station.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #8 Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B and 5-C Subsistence Fishing Schedule

08/02/2021

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is anticipated to be critically low. The fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum salmon and fall chum salmon run sizes, is for a run size less than 300,000 fish. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the preseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the current run projection is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives. Therefore, subsistence salmon fishing will be closed to begin the fall season. Subsistence fishermen should prepare for continued closures.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #3 Subdistrict 4-A Lower Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/23/2021

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is anticipated to be critically low. The fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum salmon and fall chum salmon run sizes, is for a run size less than 300,000 fish. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the preseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the current run projection is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives. Therefore, subsistence salmon fishing will be closed to begin the fall season, except for the use of selective gear to target salmon other than Chinook and chum.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

Plans Announced for 2021 Federal Subsistence Hunt of Chisana Caribou Herd

07/23/2021

COPPER CENTER, AK – This week plans for the 2021 federal subsistence hunt for the Chisana caribou herd were announced by Wrangell-St. Elias Superintendent Ben Bobowski, the designated federal manager for the hunt. Consistent with the cooperative management plan for the herd, the harvest quota will be 7 bull caribou. The hunt will open on August 10 and close on September 30 or when the quota has been reached. Hunters are asked to report back within three days of harvesting an animal or at the end of the season if unsuccessful. The hunt area is Federal public lands in Unit 12 that lie east of the Nabesna River and Glacier and south of the Winter Trail running southeast from Pickerel Lake to the Canadian border. 

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2021 Yukon River Salmon Fall Fishery Announcement #2 Coastal District and Districts 1-3 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/22/2021

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon Area

Yukon River Chinook, summer and fall chum salmon runs continue to be poor resulting in subsistence fishing closures for these species. The department acknowledges the hardship and food security issues created by these fishing closures. In response to requests and suggestions from fishermen calling local field offices and weekly teleconferences hosted by the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association, the department will allow the use of selective gear to target salmon other than Chinook and Chum.

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Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

Mountain goat harvest closed in South Baranof Zone on Baranof Island

07/22/2021

SITKA, Alaska – Sitka District Ranger Perry Edwards, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the South Baranof Zone to the harvest of mountain goats. The closure will be effective Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect through the rest of the 2021 season which ends December 31.

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