Supplemental News Release:

The Board action, which led to the execution of this gillnet fishery, occurred in response to an Emergency Special Action Request.  The Board labeled this fishery as “Experimental” for the 2016 season only, which means that the authorization from the Board to utilize a gillnet in the Moose Range Meadows portion, of the Kenai River drainage, within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, has an expiration of 60 days or less, or until the fishery season closure date of August 15. 

The Federal subsistence community gillnet fishery is primarily for the harvest of Sockeye Salmon.  The gillnet is an additional method and means which can be utilized in an attempt to attain the previously authorized federal annual harvest limits for Sockeye, Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon.  Although not the primary focus of this gill net fishery, any Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden which are incidentally caught may be retained.   Federal regulations currently allow for the retention of up to 1,000 Chinook salmon in this fishery.  The proponent of this fishery requested, and the Board approved, a lower harvest limit of 50 Chinook Salmon for 2016.  If and when 50 Chinook Salmon are incidentally caught prior to the season closure of August 15, the community gillnet fishery will close immediately.

View full news release