Federal Subsistence Board News

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Situk River to close to the harvest of Sockeye Salmon

07/09/2018

YAKUTAT, Alaska – The Yakutat District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the Situk River to the harvest of Sockeye Salmon. The closure will be effective 12:01 a.m., July 7, 2018, through 11:59 p.m. September 4, 2018. The fishery may open on short notice if the escapement improves.

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Federal Closure to the Harvest of Chinook Salmon in Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Waters Rescinded

07/09/2018

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager is rescinding previously issued special actions concerning the harvest of Chinook Salmon within Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge waters. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will manage fishing openings, closings, and fishing methods.

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2018 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release # 39 - Subdistrict 5-D Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/06/2018

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaCurrent assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. Subsistence restrictions including reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary to reduce the overall subsistence harvest for Chinook salmon. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

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2018 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release # 38 - Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/06/2018

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaCurrent assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. Subsistence restrictions including reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary to reduce the overall subsistence harvest for Chinook salmon. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

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Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River will be opened to the Harvest of Salmon by Federally Qualified Subsistence Users For 12 Hours on July 5

07/05/2018

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River to the harvest of salmon, by Federally qualified users for 12 hours effective July 5, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM. 

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2018 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 36 - Summer Update # 5, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

07/03/2018

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe estimated Chinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average. Chinook salmon run timing and abundance appear to be similar to 2015, a year with normal run timing (Figure 1). This indicates that the drainage-wide run will likely come in below the lower end of the preseason projection range of 173,000 to 251,000 fish with an inseason projected passage at Pilot Station of approximately 150,000 Chinook salmon. While a run of this size should be large enough to meet escapement goals, subsistence restrictions are necessary. The summer chum run is also below average and will likely come in below the preseason forecast of 2.5 million fish with an inseason projection range of 1.3 million to 1.5 million fish. The average midpoint for Chinook salmon at the Pilot Station sonar during years with normal run timing is June 24 and the third quarter point is typically June 29th. The average midpoint for summer chum salmon at the Pilot Station sonar is around June 27 and the third quarter point is typically July 3.

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2018 Yukon River Salmon Fishery News Release # 35 - District 4 Subsistence Fishing Schedule

07/03/2018

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaChinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average and appears to be similar to 2015 in run timing and abundance. Current assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. Subsistence restrictions including reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary. The current management strategy is to provide some limited Chinook harvest opportunity. Fishermen may need to adjust their Chinook salmon harvest goals to account for this weaker than expected run size.

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