Federal Subsistence Board News

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2018 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 19 - Summer Update # 3, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

06/19/2018

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaEstimated Chinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average. Chinook salmon run timing and abundance appear to be similar to 2015, indicating the run may be coming in toward the lower end of the preseason projection of 173,000 to 251,000 fish. However, the next several days of passage at Pilot Station sonar will continue to improve the accuracy of our run projections. While a run of this size should be large enough to meet escapement goals, some subsistence restrictions are necessary. The average first quarter point at the sonar for normal run timing is June 18 for Chinook salmon and June 23 for summer chum salmon. Summer chum abundance is above average and commercial fishing is underway in Districts 1 and 2. Selective gear is being used to target summer chum while releasing all Chinook salmon alive.

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2018 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 18 - Districts 1 and 2 Commercial Fishing Schedule

06/18/2018

 Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaAt this time, a precautious management approach to the harvest of Chinook salmon will remain in effect as the run abundance of king salmon is being assessed. Commercial summer chum salmon fishing periods with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) will continue between subsistence fishing periods to allow for commercial harvest of summer chum, while releasing all Chinook salmon.

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2018 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 12 - Districts 1 and 2 Commercial Fishing Schedule

06/18/2018

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaAt this time, a precautious management approach to subsistence harvest of Chinook salmon will remain in effect as the run abundance of king salmon is being assessed.  However, commercial summer chum salmon fishing periods with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) are being announced between subsistence fishing periods to allow for harvest of summer chum, which are increasing in the lower river. All Chinook salmon caught in dip net and beach seine gear must be released alive immediately and recorded on a fish ticket.

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Federal Public Waters of Womens Bay and Afognak Bay Closed to Sockeye Salmon Fishing by All Users Beginning June 16

06/15/2018

In an effort to conserve Buskin Lake and Afognak Lake Sockeye Salmon, and in support of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the Federal Subsistence Board has closed fishing for Sockeye Salmon by all users in Federal public waters of Womens Bay and Afognak Bay beginning 12:01 a.m., Saturday June 16, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday August 14, 2018 (See Maps showing Federal closure areas for Afognak and Buskin Regions).

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2018 Yukon River Summer Salmon Fishery News Release # 11 Summer Update # 2, Yukon Area Salmon Fishery

06/12/2018

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaChinook and summer chum salmon abundance is beginning to increase in the lower Yukon River. Reports from the lower river indicate water levels are still high and large amounts of woody debris are present periodically. Based on fish detected in the Lower Yukon Test Fishery near Emmonak and historical migration timing, the early Chinook salmon should be near Holy Cross. Small numbers of Chinook and summer chum salmon may be as far upriver as Ruby and Grayling, respectively, based on the timing of fish caught in the subsistence fishery at the mouth of the Yukon River.

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