Federal Subsistence Board News

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaChinook salmon passage at the Pilot Station sonar is well below average and appears to be similar to 2015 in run timing and abundance. Current assessment is indicating the 2018 Chinook salmon run may be coming in below the lower end of the preseason projection. While a run of this size should be large enough to meet escapement goals, subsistence restrictions including further reduced fishing time and restricted gillnet mesh size are necessary.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaAt this time, a precautious management approach to subsistence harvest of Chinook salmon will remain in effect as the run abundance of Chinook salmon is being assessed. However, commercial summer chum salmon fishing periods with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) are being announced between subsistence fishing periods to allow for harvest of summer chum. All Chinook salmon caught in dip net and beach seine gear must be released alive immediately and recorded on a fish ticket.

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 from the mouth to a line downstream of Kalskag at the south edge of Uknavik Slough and then due east to the edge of the bluff line within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge boundary, including waters within 100 yards of the non-salmon spawning tributaries, 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, for 6 hours effective June 29, 2018 from 12:00 PM (noon) until 6:00 PM.

Districts Affected: Lower Yukon AreaEstimated Chinook salmon passage at Pilot Station is well below average to date. One subsistence fishing period is being pulled in Districts 1-3 and subsistence gillnets are limited to 6-inch or smaller mesh. These actions are intended to reduce harvest on incoming Chinook salmon.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook salmon abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release puts Subdistricts 6-A, 6-B, and 6-C on a reduced salmon fishing schedule and restricts gillnets to 6-inch or smaller mesh. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on early groups of Chinook salmon while more information about the timing and strength of the run is collected.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release puts the lower and middle portions of Subdistrict 5-D on a reduced subsistence salmon fishing schedule with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in Subdistrict 5-D around July 2.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release announces the next two subsistence fishing periods in Subdistricts 5-A, 5-B and 5-C. Gear will be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in Subdistrict 5-A around June 28. The first large group of summer chum salmon should be arriving in 5-A around July 7.

Districts Affected: Upper Yukon AreaThe Chinook abundance estimates are well below average at the Pilot Station sonar to date. This news release announces the next three subsistence fishing periods in Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C. During one opening, gear will be restricted to 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets. The Wednesday, June 27 period is being cancelled to allow fish passage to the upper river. These actions are intended to limit the harvest on the first pulse of Chinook salmon which should begin arriving in this area around June 24. The first large group of summer chum salmon should be arriving in Subdistricts 4-B and 4-C around July 1.

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 24, 2018 from 10:00 AM until superseded by subsequent emergency special action.

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, including waters within 100 yards of the non-salmon spawning tributaries, 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, for 12 hours effective June 24, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.