by ADFG Staff
This is an announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) in Bethel for subsistence fishermen in the Kuskokwim Area.
Subsistence King Salmon Fishing Permit
The Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) met in Anchorage from March 20–24, 2017 to discuss proposals relating to subsistence fishing permits within the Kuskokwim River. The board passed proposal 276, establishing a limited permit system in the waters from the Yukon Delta NWR boundary at Aniak upstream to the headwaters of the Kuskokwim River.
From the Yukon Delta NWR boundary at Aniak upstream to the Holitna River mouth: Section 4:
Beginning 10:01 p.m., June 12, 2018, subsistence fishing with the King Salmon permit will be allowed until further notice during times that the subsistence gillnet fishery is closed. Regulations for fishing with this permit are stated below:
•Only one permit may be issued per household.
•Annual permit harvest limit is 10 king salmon.
•Permit must be on your person while fishing.
•Gillnets must be 6-inch or less mesh, not to exceed 25 fathoms in length and 45 meshes depth.
•King salmon may also be harvested with hook and line, fish wheels, and beach seines.
•All king salmon harvested by any gear type count toward the household’s annual permit limit.
•The waters of the Kuskokwim River from the Yukon Delta NWR boundary at Aniak upstream to a line formed between two points lat 61° 35.308ʹ N, long 159° 29.167ʹ W and lat 61° 34.731ʹ N, long 159° 28.939ʹW will remained closed to subsistence fishing with gillnets.
Subsistence fishing with a permit may only occur from the Yukon Delta NWR boundary at Aniak upstream to the mouth of the Holitna River. Once permit holders harvest the annual limit of 10 King Salmon, the permit is no longer valid and fishers must wait until a regularly scheduled opening to continue subsistence fishing. All other fish caught while fishing with the permit may be retained. If you have not received a permit and would like to get one, please contact ADF&G at (907) 543-2433 for more information.
As Previously Announced:
From the Yukon Delta NWR boundary at Aniak upstream to the Holitna River mouth: Section 4
Subsistence fishing with 6-inch or less mesh gillnets, not to exceed 25 fathoms in length and 45 meshes in depth, will open for 12 hours from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. King salmon may be retained if caught with fish wheels, beach seines, and hook and line, and gillnets during this gillnet opener.
From the Holitna River mouth to the headwaters of the Kuskokwim River: Section 5
Subsistence fishing with 6-inch or less mesh gillnets, not to exceed 25 fathoms in length and 45 meshes in depth , will be allowed from 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 12 until further notice.
King salmon may be retained if caught with fish wheels, beach seines, and hook and line gear until further notice in Section 5.
These subsistence fishery openings were supported by the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Group at the recent public meeting on June 7, 2018 held in Bethel. Additional subsistence fishing openings will be announced based on inseason king salmon run strength indicators with support from the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group.
Further announcements will be made from the Bethel Fish and Game office, on the State of Alaska web site (http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main), and local radio stations. News releases will be faxed to area villages and local fish processing companies.
For additional information or questions regarding Kuskokwim Area fisheries, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in the Bethel at 543-2433 or toll free at 1-855-933-2433.
This news release was issued June 10, 2018.