Chignik River Federal Subsistence Fishery for Chinook Salmon

The Federal In-season Manager, pursuant to delegated authority from the Federal Subsistence Board under ANILCA Title VIII section 816, will issue an emergency special action (8-KS-01-20) to close fishing for Chinook Salmon to all users, non-federal and Federally qualified users, in Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday July 18. This action is necessary to ensure the continued viability of the Chignik River Chinook Salmon population. This action prohibits all fishing for Chinook Salmon and they may not be retained or possessed. Chinook Salmon accidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

07/16/2020
Last edited 01/25/2022
Contact Information

Jonathon Gerken

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Inseason Manager

(907) 271-2776

jonathon_gerken@fws.gov

The biological escapement goal for Chinook Salmon in the Chignik River drainage is 1,300 to 2,700 fish. The weir count as of July 16 was 513 Chinook Salmon. Based on historical run timing, approximately 50% of the escapement has occurred by July 15, and the current projected total escapement is approximately 900 fish. Through Section 816 of ANILCA, this Emergency Special Action (8-KS-01-20) closes fishing for Chinook Salmon in the Federal public waters of the Chignik River drainage due to concerns about the viability of the population.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game fishery managers have implemented restrictions to sport and subsistence fisheries. No commercial fisheries have been implemented for the 2020 fishing year in the Chignik Area. Effective July 18, this emergency special action (8- KS-01-20) will close Chignik River Federal Public waters to the harvest of Chinook Salmon for all users concurrently with the closures of Chignik Area State subsistence and sport fisheries for Chinook Salmon.

For additional information, contact Federal Inseason Manager Jonathon Gerken at (907) 271- 2776. Additional information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the Web at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence.

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-FSB-

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