Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSo far, the 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size, and restrictions to harvest are required to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh. The 2019 summer chum salmon run is coming in abnormally late and low, therefore less overlap of the summer chum and Chinook salmon runs is expected.  

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaSo far the 2019 Chinook appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size, and restrictions to harvest are required to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. Similar to 2018, a subsistence fishing period is being cancelled in order to let more fish escape upriver.Due to the abnormally late and low summer chum salmon run, no commercial periods are being scheduled at this time.

A public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Bingo Hall in Quinhagak, to receive public testimony on a Wildlife Temporary Special Action request received by the Federal Subsistence Board. 

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary to the use of gillnets for the harvest of Chinook Salmon by Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, for 12 hours effective June 22, 2019 from 06:00 AM until 06:00 PM.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaSo far the 2019 Chinook appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size, and restrictions to harvest will likely be required to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The subsistence fishing schedule remains reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh. The 2019 summer chum salmon run is coming in late, but strong tides of chum salmon are entering the lower river now.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaSo far, the 2019 Chinook run appears similar to the 2018 Chinook run size, and restrictions to harvest will likely be required to meet escapement goals and harvest share objectives. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule and gillnets are being restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh. The 2019 summer chum salmon run is coming in late, therefore there is currently less overlap of the summer chum and Chinook salmon runs in middle and upper river districts.  

Districts Affected: Yukon AreaWater levels are dropping and woody debris has been intermittent in the lower river. A strong early trickle of Chinook is making its way upriver and the first pulse of Chinook salmon is being counted at the Pilot Station sonar.  The average first quarter point at the sonar for Chinook salmon with normal run timing is June 19. In the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, Chinook salmon catches have been good for multiple tides and chum salmon catches have begun to increase. In recent years, there has been a strong early trickle of chum salmon, though that has not been the case this season, which may indicate a late run. Though summer chum salmon estimates are below average at the Pilot Station sonar, this beginning portion of the run represents between 2 and 9% of the run, with the first quartile of a late run occurring, on average, on June 24th at the sonar project.

In consultation with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Federal In-season Manager announces the opening of that portion of the Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River main-stem from a line downstream of Kalskag at the south edge of Uknavik Slough and then due east to the edge of the bluff line to the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) boundary at Aniak, to the harvest of Chinook Salmon, by Federally qualified subsistence users identified in the Section 804 subsistence user prioritization analysis, which includes residents of the Kuskokwim River drainage and the villages of Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Kongiganak, effective June 19, 2019 from 6:00 PM until superseded by subsequent emergency special action.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaBased on preseason projections, the 2019 Chinook salmon run on the Yukon River is anticipated to have average run timing, and similar run size to last year. The subsistence fishing schedule is being reduced to half the regulatory (windows) fishing schedule. This is intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected. In response to feedback from fishermen from District 4 at the spring preseason meeting, the schedule has been changed from last year in order to provide more fishing opportunity during the weekend.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at the Northwest Arctic Borough, Assembly Room, located at 163 Lagoon Street, in Kotzebue, to receive public testimony on a Temporary Special Action request received by the Federal Subsistence Board (Board).