Federal Subsistence Board News

For Immediate Release:

September 10, 2021

The Kodiak/Aleutians Subsistence Regional Advisory Council will meet September 27-28, 2021, by teleconference. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. daily.

Public is welcome and encouraged to participate

 

This press release corrects a prior version published on September 3, 2021 and is updated to revise spelling indicated in bold.

The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils will meet by teleconferences between September and November 2021 to discuss proposals to change Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations for the 2022-2024 regulatory years and other issues affecting subsistence in their regions.

Under the authority of:

36 CFR §242.10 and .19

50 CFR §100.10 and .19

 

Mountain goat harvest closed in Bear Mountain Zone on Baranof Island

SITKA, Alaska – Sitka District Ranger Perry Edwards, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the Bear Mountain Zone to the harvest of mountain goats. The closure will be effective Friday, September 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect through the rest of the 2021 season which ends December 31. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has issued a concurrent closure in the same zone. Additional mountain goat harvest in this zone could have long term negative effects on the conservation of the mountain goat subpopulation. The remainder of Baranof Island is open to goat hunting until the season closes, unless closed by special action.

Temporary Special Action No: 13-MG-05-21 Issued at: Sitka Alaska, September 8, 2021

 

Effective Date: 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021

Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021 unless superseded by subsequent special action

For Immediate Release:

September 3, 2021

The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils will meet by teleconferences between September and November 2021 to discuss proposals to change Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations for the 2022-2024 regulatory years and other issues affecting subsistence in their regions.

The Yukon River fall chum and coho salmon runs are projecting to be the lowest on record (1974–2020), see Figures 1 and 2. The fall chum salmon run is projected to be 93,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 868,000 fish based on median timing. The coho salmon run size is projected to be 32,000-36,000 fish, based on median and late timing, compared to a historical average run index of 240,000 fish. Both the fall chum and coho salmon runs are past the third-quarter point at the mainstem Yukon River sonar project operated near Pilot Station. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the inseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence, personal use or commercial fishing. A run of this size is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives.

The Yukon River fall chum and coho salmon runs are projecting to be the lowest on record (1974–2020), see Figures 1 and 2. The fall chum salmon run is projected to be 82,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 868,000 fish based on median timing. The coho salmon run size is projected to be 25,000-34,000 fish, based on median and late timing, compared to a historical average run index of 240,000 fish. The fall chum salmon run is past the third-quarter point, while coho salmon run is past the midpoint at the mainstem Yukon River sonar project operated near Pilot Station. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the inseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence, personal use or commercial fishing. A run of this size is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives.

The Yukon River fall chum and coho salmon runs are projecting to be the lowest on record (1974–2020). The fall chum salmon run is projected to be 82,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 868,000 fish based on median timing. The coho salmon run size is projected to be 25,000-34,000 fish, based on median and late timing, compared to a historical average run index of 240,000 fish. Preliminary data from assessment projects indicate that both species have the smallest fish lengths observed in their respective datasets. Due to extremely weak salmon runs, the need to allow salmon passage to spawning grounds and the higher probability of encountering small-bodied salmon in the current allowable gear, nonsalmon subsistence fishing is being adjusted to provide additional protection for migrating salmon. Continued cooperation is appreciated during these times of conservation for fall chum and coho salmon.

The Yukon River fall chum and coho salmon runs are projecting to be the lowest on record (1974–2020). The fall chum salmon run is projected to be 82,000 fish compared to a historical run size of 868,000 fish based on median timing. The coho salmon run size is projected to be 25,000-34,000 fish, based on median and late timing, compared to a historical average run index of 240,000 fish. Preliminary data from assessment projects indicate that both species have the smallest fish lengths observed in their respective datasets. Due to extremely weak salmon runs, the need to allow salmon passage to spawning grounds and the higher probability of encountering small-bodied salmon in the current allowable gear, nonsalmon subsistence fishing is being adjusted to provide additional protection for migrating salmon. Continued cooperation is appreciated during these times of conservation for fall chum and coho salmon.

Districts Affected: Yukon Area

The 2021 fall chum salmon run size is projected to be 100,000 fish, the lowest on record for the second consecutive year. As of August 15, the Yukon River mainstem sonar near Pilot Station estimated 85,000 chum salmon (summer and fall) have passed upriver. Genetic mixed stock analysis results indicate only 42,000 of those were fall chum salmon, which is well below last year’s genetic estimate of 104,000 fall chum salmon for that date. The historical third quarter point of the run at the mainstem sonar occurs on August 19. According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the inseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence or personal use fishing. A run of this size is unlikely to meet the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000-600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives.