FISHERIES UPDATE FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 25 – 31, 2022. Report #10

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 me.

08/01/2022
Last edited 08/01/2022
Contact Information
George Pappas
(907) 317-2165 George_Pappas@fws.gov

SOUTHEAST ALASKA 

Sitka and Hoonah Area – Forest Service, Tongass National Forest

Position vacant – No reports expected for remainder of season.

Petersburg and Wrangell Area –Andrew Sanders, Forest Service, Tongass National Forest
Andrew Sanders, (907)772-3871 andrew.sanders@usda.gov
The pre-season terminal run forecast for large Chinook Salmon in the Stikine River is 7,400 fish. This forecast is below the goal range of 14,000 to 28,000 fish. Directed commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in the area have been closed to protect this return. Currently, all drift gillnet, purse seine and non-terminal harvest area troll fisheries for Chinook Salmon are closed in district 8.
The 2022 Stikine River pre-season Sockeye Salmon forecast is 63,000 fish, with 42,00 Tahltan and 21,000 Mainstem fish. The escapement objective for Tahltan bound Sockeye Salmon is 18,000 to 30,000, and 20,000 to 40,000 for Mainstem fish. The 2022 forecast for Tahltan is expected to meet the escapement objective with a sufficient surplus for allowable harvest. The forecast for the mainstem is not expected to exceed the escapement goal.
The 2022 Federal Stikine River Sockeye Salmon subsistence fishery began June 21, and ends July 31. A total of 100 permits have been issued for the Stikine fishery, and total harvest is estimated at 1045 Sockeye Salmon so far this season. 

Juneau and Yakutat – Forest Service, Tongass National Forest
Jake Musslewhite, 907-789-6256  jacob.g.musslewhite@usda.gov

August 1, 2022

Northern Inside Waters – Purse seine and gillnet fisheries continue throughout northern Southeast. Sockeye catches in commercial gillnet fisheries are strong in both District 11 and District 15 gillnet fisheries. Pink Salmon abundance remains below average, though better than the early indicators were threatening. Purse seine fisheries are starting to open along the Admiralty shoreline of Chatham Strait, as well as Tenakee Inlet and the outside coast. Sockeye Salmon returns in the area appear to be reasonably strong based on anecdotal reports, test fishery catches and commercial harvest data. Sockeye catches in the Hawk Inlet test fishery have been above the ten-year average, suggesting decent returns to northern Southeast. Reports from the field are encouraged and appreciated.

View Fisheries Updates No 10-July 25-31, 2022

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