Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2019 fall chum salmon preseason run projection, based on the summer chum to fall chum salmon relationship, is for a run size of 625,000 fall chum salmon with a range of 500,000 to 750,000 fish. Run sizes within this range are expected to provide for escapement and subsistence use needs. In accordance with the Yukon River Drainage Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, a threshold run size of 550,000 fish is necessary to open a fall chum salmon directed commercial fishery. Commercial fishing would be allowed on the surplus above that level.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook and summer chum salmon runs are nearly complete in the lower river, and management will transition to fall season. The projected season total passage at the Pilot Station sonar is approximately 220,000 Chinook salmon (Figure 1). The Chinook salmon run appears to have normal run timing, which indicates that the drainage-wide run (which would include harvest and escapement of fish below the sonar) may likely come in towards the upper end of the preseason outlook of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. Based on passage at the Pilot Station sonar and inseason genetic mixed stock analysis (MSA), the Canadian-origin Chinook salmon run size is estimated to be about 95,000 which is towards the upper end of the preseason outlook of 69,000 to 99,000 fish. A Chinook salmon run of this size should meet escapement goals, provide subsistence harvest, and meet the harvest sharing objectives outlined in the Yukon River Salmon Agreement.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon Area/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/1_fyr_19_seasonstart.pdfYukon River District 1 will transition to fall season management beginning July 16. The remaining upriver districts and subdistricts will transition to fall season management as the fall chum salmon migration reaches those areas. Assessment projects will begin counting fall chum salmon on July 16 at the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, July 18 at the Mountain Village Test Fishery, and July 19 at the mainstem sonar near the community of Pilot Station. The ADF&G field office located in Emmonak will continue to be open for the fall season Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaWith passage at Pilot Station sonar of over 1.2 million summer chum salmon, a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The Chinook salmon run is over 98% complete in the lower river.  Current passage at Pilot Station sonar is over 200,000 Chinook salmon and indicates run sizes coming in near the upper end of the preseason forecast. Escapement goals and harvest share objectives are likely to be met, and unrestricted subsistence opportunity to harvest Chinook salmon is being provided. The department, after consideration of the data and discussion with the U.S. section of the Yukon River Panel, has allowed the sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon during commercial openings for chum salmon. This is in accordance with the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan and the management strategy presented and discussed with fishermen at preseason planning meetings for Chinook runs coming in near the upper end of the forecast.

With passage at Pilot Station sonar of over 1,100,000 summer chum salmon, a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The Chinook salmon run is over 95% complete in the lower river.  Current passage at Pilot Station sonar is over 200,000 Chinook salmon and indicates run sizes coming in near the upper end of the preseason forecast. Escapement goals and harvest share objectives are likely to be met, and unrestricted subsistence opportunity to harvest Chinook salmon is being provided. The department, after consideration of the data and discussion with the U.S. section of the Yukon River Panel, has allowed the sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon during commercial openings for chum salmon. This is in accordance with the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan and the management strategy presented and discussed with fishermen at preseason planning meetings for Chinook runs coming in near the upper end of the forecast.

SITKA, Alaska – The Sitka District Ranger, under authority granted by the Federal Subsistence Board, will hold a public meeting and hearing to share information and solicit comments to help guide Federal subsistence mountain goat management in Unit 4. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will review the current management strategy and present information related to mountain goat harvest and population trends.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaWith passage at Pilot Station sonar of over 1,100,000 summer chum salmon, a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The Chinook salmon run is over 95% complete in the lower river.  Current passage at Pilot Station sonar is over 200,000 Chinook salmon and indicates run sizes coming in near the upper end of the preseason forecast. Escapement goals and harvest share objectives are likely to be met, and unrestricted subsistence opportunity to harvest Chinook salmon is being provided. The department, after consideration of the data and discussion with the U.S. section of the Yukon River Panel, will allow the sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon during commercial openings for chum salmon. This is in accordance with the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan and the management strategy presented and discussed with fishermen at preseason planning meetings for Chinook runs coming in near the upper end of the forecast.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon run is currently coming in stronger than the run observed in 2018 and toward the upper end of the preseason outlook range of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. (Figure 1). In accordance with the pre-season management strategy, a run of this size warrants subsistence salmon fishing on a full regulatory schedule with 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The Chinook salmon run is approximately 93% complete at the Pilot Station sonar, based on normal run timing. The 2019 summer chum salmon run is late and weaker than expected. However, summer chum salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is near the upper end of the drainage-wide escapement goal of 1,200,000 fish. A commercial surplus of summer chum is available for harvest (Figure 2). The summer chum salmon run is likely 82% complete at the Pilot Station sonar, based on late run timing.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon run is coming in stronger than the 2018 run, and towards the upper end of the preseason forecasts. Fishing times are being returned to the regulatory schedule to allow more fishing opportunity. The requirement to use 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets is being removed; fishermen may choose to use 7.5-inch or smaller mesh gillnets and fish wheels.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaChinook salmon are still entering the river and the run appears to be coming in stronger than the 2018 run. Fishing times are being returned to the regulatory schedule in most districts to allow more fishing opportunity.