Federal Subsistence Board News

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

Mountain goat harvest closed in Upper Blue Lake Zone on Baranof Island

10/08/2019

SITKA, Alaska – The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the Upper Blue Lake Zone in Unit 4 to the harvest of mountain goats. The closure will be effective Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect through the rest of the 2019 season which ends December 31. 

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

2019 Yukon River Fall Salmon Fishery News Release #47 Fall Update # 11, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

09/30/2019

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2019 fall chum salmon total run size is estimated to be near 850,000 fish, after adjusting insseason for the overlap of summer chum salmon into the fall season. A fall chum salmon run size at this level is expected to provide for escapement, subsistence needs, and a limited commercial fishery. The fall chum salmon that peaked in the lower river projects on August 23 are expected to be near the Canadian border around October 1 as well as spread through the Tanana River. The overall fall chum salmon run entered the Yukon River later than average and is anticipated to be slightly late arriving to upriver spawning areas, although with the lower water levels the migration appears to be making up some time.

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

2019 Yukon River Fall Salmon Fishery News Release #46 Fall Update # 10, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

09/25/2019

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2019 fall chum salmon total run size is estimated to be near 850,000 fish, after adjusting for the overlap of summer chum salmon into the fall season. A fall chum salmon run size at this level is expected to provide for escapement, subsistence needs, and a limited commercial fishery. The fall chum salmon that peaked in the lower river projects on August 15 are expected to be near the Canadian border around September 23. The fall chum salmon pulse that peaked in the lower river on August 23 are expected to be near Circle September 23, and the Canadian border around October 1. Fall chum salmon from this group would be in the Tanana River near Manley around September 23 and Nenana September 25. The overall fall chum salmon run entered the Yukon River much later than average and consequently, it is anticipated that their arrival to upriver spawning areas will also be later than average.

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

Entries sought for Subsistence Student Art Contest

09/20/2019

The Federal Subsistence Management Program is sponsoring its annual art contest for all students in Alaska, grades K-12. Deadline for submission is February 21, 2020. This year, entries may focus on either subsistence wildlife or fish, and two winners will be selected. The winners’ artwork will be published on either the cover of the 2020-2022 Subsistence Management Regulations for the Harvest of Wildlife on Federal Public Lands in Alaska book, or the 2021-2023 Subsistence Management Regulations for the Harvest of Fish and Shellfish on Federal Public Lands in Alaska book, both distributed statewide.  The art contest offers an exciting opportunity for students to express their talent and creativity while sharing their knowledge of subsistence resources.

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