by KRITFC and YDNWR
The Kuskokwim Federal In-Season Manager from Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR) released Federal management of Kuskokwim salmon on Thursday, July 21, 2022. This decision was made after several meetings between YDNWR and the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC) in which we reviewed in-season salmon data and Indigenous Knowledge to determine our next management actions.
At our last meeting on July 19, 2022, we agreed that low fishing pressure, combined with an estimated passage of 95% of the Chinook salmon run and 90% of the chum salmon run through the lower river, warranted relinquishing Federal closures to protect Chinook and chum salmon populations.
Our Federal-Tribal management team will continue to monitor the chum and silver salmon runs to ensure enough protection is in place to conserve both species within and upriver of YDNWR. All residents along the Kuskokwim River should visit Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s website during the remainder of the salmon season to be aware of further fishing regulation changes: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.
KRITFC and YDNWR would like to thank everyone along Kuskokwim River for work this salmon season:
Quyanaqvaa to KRITFC’s Tribal In-Season Managers for their wisdom and advocacy for our people and our fish: Betty Magnuson (McGrath), Megan Leary (Napaimute), Mike Williams Sr. (Akiak), Avery Hoffman (Bethel), and Paul Cleveland (Quinhagak).
Quyanaqvaa to the YDNWR fisheries team for their partnership and dedication to our region’s current and future needs: Boyd Blihovde, Spencer Reardon (Bethel), Aaron Moses (Toksook Bay/Bethel), Christopher Tulik (Nightmute/Bethel), Emmitt Nicori (Kwethluk/Napakiak), and Catherine Bradley.
Quyanaqvaa to KRITFC’s Community-Based Harvest Monitoring (CBHM) program harvest monitors for their tireless work throughout the season: James Heakin (Eek), Peter Nelson (Napakiak), Kimberly Nicholai (Napaskiak), Wesley Nicholai (Napaskiak), Alfred Epchook (Kwethluk), Caleb Uttereyuk (Kwethluk), Shane Unin (Kwethluk/Scammon Bay), Kyra Phillip (Akiachak), Melanie Phillip (Akiak), and Carl Napoka Jr. (Tuluksak).
Quyanaqvaa also to the Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) fisheries technicians in Bethel for their persistence throughout the season: Danielle Lowrey, Kylie Ford, Avery Hoffman, Delen Hooper, Jamin Crow, and Taj Tony.
Together, our CBHM harvest monitors and Bethel area fish technicians collected 974 anonymous salmon harvest interviews during 10 lower river subsistence fishing opportunities this season. This data is a critically important decision-making tool for our Federal-Tribal management team. The more participation we have from fishermen, and the more interviews our teams collect, the more likely it is that we have an accurate picture of how many fish are in the river – and the more likely we are to announce subsistence fishing opportunities.
Finally, quyanaqvaa to every subsistence fishing family along the Kuskokwim. Our goal is to manage our fishery in a way that provides subsistence opportunities now and conserves salmon for our great-great-grandchildren to eat when they are grown. Without each fisherman’s participation and support, we would not be able to work for you and your Elders, youth, and future generations as we aim for this goal. Quyana cakneq!
Stay connected with us as the silvers arrive and we wrap up the 2022 season! Visit our organizations on Facebook for more subsistence news: @KuskoSalmon and @YukonDeltaRefuge.
