Federal Subsistence Fisheries for Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Reopened

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Department) estimates passage of Sockeye Salmon into the Kenai River has achieved the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700,000 to 1,200,000 Kenai River late-run Sockeye Salmon. Therefore, restrictions to Federal subsistence fisheries are no longer necessary. As of August 26, approximately 1,023,984 Sockeye Salmon have passed the Department’s sonar at river mile 19. The Department does not expect harvest that occurred upstream of the sonar prior to the sportfishing closure on August 1 and any additional harvest that may occur for the remainder of the season to result in escapement below the SEG. The Department 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.

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

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