Federal Subsistence Fisheries for Kenai River Sockeye Salmon are Closed Downstream of Skilak Lake

The State of Alaska’s 5 AAC 21.360 Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan identifies a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) range of 700,000 to 1,200,000 Kenai River late-run Sockeye Salmon. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Department) estimates 606,113 Sockeye Salmon have passed their sonar site at river mile 19 on the Kenai River through August 6 and is projecting that the lower end of the SEG may not be met. As such, it is warranted to close Federal subsistence fisheries for Sockeye Salmon in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake to conserve late-run Kenai River Sockeye Salmon. The Department has previously restricted commercial fisheries in Cook Inlet and closed personal use and sport fisheries targeting late-run Sockeye Salmon in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake. Collectively, the State and Federal fishery management actions will provide the opportunity for late-run Sockeye Salmon in the Kenai River to reach their spawning grounds.

For additional information, contact Federal in-season Manager Jeffry Anderson at (907) 260- 0132. Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the Web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/ or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska

Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov.

View Full News Release

####