Federal Subsistence Board News

In a July 19, 2019 teleconference, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) discussed and took action on three Temporary Wildlife Special Action Requests. The Board rejected WSA19-03, approved WSA19-05 with modification, and approved WSA19-06.

COPPER CENTER, AK – This week plans for the 2019 federal subsistence hunt for the Chisana caribou herd were announced by Wrangell-St. Elias Superintendent Ben Bobowski, the designated federal manager for the hunt. The Federal Subsistence Board authorized a limited harvest from the Chisana caribou herd at its January 2012 meeting. Consistent with the cooperative management plan for the herd, the harvest quota will be 7 bull caribou. The hunt will open on August 10 and close on September 30 or when the quota has been reached. 

Wrangell, Alaska – Wrangell District Ranger Clint Kolarich, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the June 21 – July 31, 2019 Federal subsistence Sockeye Salmon fishery in the Stikine River. The closure will be effective Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect through the rest of the 2019 season which ends July 31.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2019 fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum to fall chum salmon run sizes, is for a run size of 625,000 fall chum salmon with a range of 500,000 to 750,000 fish. Run sizes within this range are expected to provide for escapement and subsistence use needs. In accordance with the Yukon River Drainage Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, a threshold run size of 550,000 fish is necessary to open a fall chum salmon directed commercial fishery. Commercial fishing would be allowed on the surplus above that level. During the transitional period between the summer and fall seasons, a large number of summer chum salmon are still entering the river. A commercial period at this time would harvest a mixture of both summer and fall chum salmon. Fishermen should standby for future announcements regarding commercial fishing.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThis is a notice to commercial fishermen; tonight’s (July 15) 12-hour period from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in District 2 is effectively cancelled. There is no buyer. Due to utility failures resulting in insufficient ice and refrigeration, Kwik’Pak will not be able to purchase fish today in District 2.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaThe 2019 fall chum salmon preseason run projection, based on the summer chum to fall chum salmon relationship, is for a run size of 625,000 fall chum salmon with a range of 500,000 to 750,000 fish. Run sizes within this range are expected to provide for escapement and subsistence use needs. In accordance with the Yukon River Drainage Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, a threshold run size of 550,000 fish is necessary to open a fall chum salmon directed commercial fishery. Commercial fishing would be allowed on the surplus above that level.

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaThe Chinook and summer chum salmon runs are nearly complete in the lower river, and management will transition to fall season. The projected season total passage at the Pilot Station sonar is approximately 220,000 Chinook salmon (Figure 1). The Chinook salmon run appears to have normal run timing, which indicates that the drainage-wide run (which would include harvest and escapement of fish below the sonar) may likely come in towards the upper end of the preseason outlook of 168,000 to 241,000 fish. Based on passage at the Pilot Station sonar and inseason genetic mixed stock analysis (MSA), the Canadian-origin Chinook salmon run size is estimated to be about 95,000 which is towards the upper end of the preseason outlook of 69,000 to 99,000 fish. A Chinook salmon run of this size should meet escapement goals, provide subsistence harvest, and meet the harvest sharing objectives outlined in the Yukon River Salmon Agreement.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon Area/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/1_fyr_19_seasonstart.pdfYukon River District 1 will transition to fall season management beginning July 16. The remaining upriver districts and subdistricts will transition to fall season management as the fall chum salmon migration reaches those areas. Assessment projects will begin counting fall chum salmon on July 16 at the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, July 18 at the Mountain Village Test Fishery, and July 19 at the mainstem sonar near the community of Pilot Station. The ADF&G field office located in Emmonak will continue to be open for the fall season Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaWith passage at Pilot Station sonar of over 1.2 million summer chum salmon, a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The Chinook salmon run is over 98% complete in the lower river.  Current passage at Pilot Station sonar is over 200,000 Chinook salmon and indicates run sizes coming in near the upper end of the preseason forecast. Escapement goals and harvest share objectives are likely to be met, and unrestricted subsistence opportunity to harvest Chinook salmon is being provided. The department, after consideration of the data and discussion with the U.S. section of the Yukon River Panel, has allowed the sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon during commercial openings for chum salmon. This is in accordance with the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan and the management strategy presented and discussed with fishermen at preseason planning meetings for Chinook runs coming in near the upper end of the forecast.

With passage at Pilot Station sonar of over 1,100,000 summer chum salmon, a commercial surplus is available for harvest. The Chinook salmon run is over 95% complete in the lower river.  Current passage at Pilot Station sonar is over 200,000 Chinook salmon and indicates run sizes coming in near the upper end of the preseason forecast. Escapement goals and harvest share objectives are likely to be met, and unrestricted subsistence opportunity to harvest Chinook salmon is being provided. The department, after consideration of the data and discussion with the U.S. section of the Yukon River Panel, has allowed the sale of incidentally caught Chinook salmon during commercial openings for chum salmon. This is in accordance with the Yukon River King Salmon Management Plan and the management strategy presented and discussed with fishermen at preseason planning meetings for Chinook runs coming in near the upper end of the forecast.