Federal Public Waters of Womens Bay and Buskin River Closed to Coho Salmon Fishing by All Users Beginning September 19th

In an effort to conserve Buskin River Coho Salmon, and in support of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the Federal Subsistence Board has closed fishing for Coho Salmon by all users in Federal public waters of Womens Bay and Buskin River beginning 12:01 p.m. September 19, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. October 19, 2019.

The biological escapement goal range for Coho Salmon in the Buskin Drainage is 4,700 to 9,600 fish. As of September 16, the cumulative weir count for Coho Salmon is 195 fish. Historically, by this date, approximately 52 percent (2,444) of Coho Salmon have passed the weir.

In an effort to conserve Buskin Lake Coho Salmon, the ADF&G has prohibited commercial and subsistence salmon harvest in the marine waters adjacent to the Buskin and also has closed sport harvest of Coho Salmon in the Buskin drainages. Collectively, the Federal and State fishery management actions will ensure that Coho Salmon approaching and entering the Buskin Lake drainages have sufficient opportunity to reach their spawning grounds.

ADF&G will continue to monitor Coho Salmon escapement into the Buskin River on a daily basis. Should Coho Salmon counts significantly increase, ensuring the escapement goals will be reached, the Federally regulated subsistence fishery for Coho Salmon may be re- opened before October 19, 2019.

These closures have been implemented by Federal Emergency Special Actions (SA-9-SS-02-

19) under the delegated authority of the Federal Subsistence Board.

Visit the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page or www.fws.gov/refuge/Kodiak/.

Questions? call the Refuge at (907) 487-2600 or at (800) 408-3514.

Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

Information regarding ADF&G Emergency Orders for these areas can be found at