Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon Area Subdistrict 5-D Lower and Middle have transitioned to fall season management. The 2020 fall chum salmon inseason projection is for a run size of less than 300,000 fish, which is the second lowest run size since the year 2000. Mixed stock analysis was applied to the passage estimates to remove summer chum salmon and resulted in an estimate of 78,000 fall chum salmon in the river as of August 9. 

The Superintendent of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has announced the following changes to the federal subsistence hunting regulations for the harvest of moose in portions of Unit 12:

During their August 4, 2020 work session, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) discussed and approved Regional Advisory Council (Council) Annual Report Replies, and revisions to the Board’s nonrural determination policy, closure policy, and Tribal Consultation Implementation Guidelines.  The Board deferred the process for individual Customary and Traditional Use Determinations until their January 2021 meeting to allow time for Councils to review and comment on the process during their Fall 2020 meetings. 

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon preseason projection is for a run size of less than 450,000 fish. This level of abundance is not likely to meet escapement goals and treaty objectives. The 2016 parent year that produced this year’s age- four age class has shown exceptionally poor survival in all chum salmon runs in all western Alaska. Without the age-four fish that typically dominate a fall chum salmon run, the overall return is expected to be much lower than forecasted. Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B, and 5-C are transitioning to fall season management. Consequently, the subsistence fishing schedule is reduced to limit the harvest of fall chum salmon to allow more fish to reach their spawning areas.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon preseason projection is for a run size of less than 450,000 fish. This level of abundance is not likely to meet escapement goals and treaty objectives. The 2016 parent year that produced this year’s age- four age class has shown exceptionally poor survival in all chum salmon runs in all western Alaska. Without the age-four fish that typically dominate a fall chum salmon run, the overall return is expected to be much lower than forecasted. Consequently, a subsistence fishing period is being cancelled to limit the harvest of fall chum salmon to allow more fish to reach their spawning areas.

A telephonic public hearing is scheduled for 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., or until the end of public participation, on Thursday, August 13, 2020, to receive public testimony on a temporary special action request submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board (Board).

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe 2020 fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum and fall chum salmon runs, is for a run size of less than 450,000 fish. Chum salmon entering the Yukon River now appear to be mostly fall chum salmon. The front of the fall season chum salmon run migration is expected to be approaching Nulato August 3, Ruby August 6, Tanana August 10, Stevens Village August 15, Fort Yukon August 20, and U.S./Canada border August 31. The pulse that entered the lower Yukon on July 29 would be approaching Holy Cross August 4, Kaltag August 9, Galena August 11, Rapids August 17, Fort Yukon August 26, and U.S./Canada border September 5. Some Tanana summer chum salmon stocks may be in the first group, but most of the chum salmon should be fall stocks headed to the upper Yukon River.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaBased on run timing, the Chinook salmon run should be nearly complete in the Tanana River and summer chum salmon should be present. In the subsistence fishery, the requirement for manned wheels and selective gear is being removed. Gillnets, dip nets, beach seines, and fish wheels may be used during open periods and fishermen may retain Chinook salmon. Because of the poor summer chum run, fishing will remain on half schedule for the remainder of the summer season in the Tanana River. As a reminder, fishing for non-salmon species is allowed during open and closed periods; however, gillnets must have 4-inch or smaller mesh.

The purpose of the weekly fisheries update is to provide the reader with an overall summary of the status of subsistence related fisheries throughout the state of Alaska.  The target audience is the Federal Subsistence Board and its Staff Committee.  The report was compiled with the assistance of the Federal in-season managers and OSM staff that provided weekly updated information by the close of business on Friday of the reporting week.  My goal is to have the report sent by the close of business the following Monday.  Web links have been included to provide additional information.  You may obtain additional information on a fishery of particular interest by contacting the in-season manager, provided contacts, follow the provided web links, or contact George Pappas.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaCurrent cumulative counts of Chinook salmon at the Eagle sonar indicate the lower end of the spawning escapement objective in Canada (42,500-55,000) may not be met. Therefore, it is imperative that all Chinook salmon moving through District 5 escape to the spawning grounds. Fishermen can expect salmon fishing to open when fall chum are present in the area. Based on average swim speeds, the early fall chum are not expected in Tanana until approximately August 11, and the first pulse should arrive around August 16.