2018 Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

Southeast Chinook Salmon Symposium

The Southeast Chinook Salmon Symposium hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was held on Monday, May 21, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Sitka's Harrigan Centennial Hall. All event materials, presentations, and recorded audio are on the department's website at 2018 Sitka Chinook Symposium.

Presentation topics included:

• Chinook salmon research: What we know about performance of local stocks, as well as Pacific Northwest Chinook salmon stocks coast-wide.
• A look at the last 10 years of Chinook salmon management for commercial and sport fisheries, including annual allocations, actual harvest, and performance relative to the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
• Conservative actions: Management measures in response to poor Chinook salmon production.
• Treaty transparency: A summary of the treaty past, present, and future.
• Public process and participation: An overview of the public regulatory process and how to get involved.
• Public question and answer session.

Troll Fishery

The regional power troll coho salmon catch rate for this week is 39 fish/day, which is below the 20-year average of 89 fish/day and the 2017 average of 83 fish/day. The highest catch rates for the current week have occurred in the Central Outside and Northern Inside areas. For harvest through September 13, the seasonal average weight of coho salmon is 6.8 lbs., which is above the 2017 average of 5.1 lbs., and the 5-year and 10-year averages of 5.8 and 6.0 lbs., respectively. The average price is currently $2.11/lb. and the cumulative catch since July 1 is 850,000 coho salmon. A news release concerning the assessment of an extension of the troll season through September 30 will be issued during the week of September 16.

Troll effort targeting enhanced chum salmon returning to the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) release site in Crawfish Inlet has decreased during the current week, with a harvest of 4,000 chum salmon by 13 permits and a catch per landing of 233 chum salmon. Based on fish tickets received through September 13, approximately 152 permits have harvested 243,000 chum salmon at an average weight of 7.7 lbs. in Crawfish Inlet. Little to no effort targeting enhanced Deep Inlet chum salmon in the Sitka Sound area has occurred during the current week. Through September 13, a total of 181 trollers landed 122,000 chum salmon in Sitka Sound. The average weight for Sitka Sound chum salmon is 8.1 lbs., and the average price for both chum salmon areas is $0.98/lb.

Based on fish tickets received through September 13, a total of 118 permits harvested approximately 123,000 chum salmon since July 1 at an average weight of 10.7 lbs. and an average price of $1.01/lb. in the Neets Bay Terminal Harvest Area (THA)/West Behm Canal areas. The Neets Bay THA will remain closed until fall chum salmon broodstock is collected. If additional troll openings can be scheduled they will be announced by News Release.

The 2018–2019 winter troll fishery will open according to regulation at 12:01 a.m., October 11, 2018. The 2018–2019 Winter Troll Fishery Management Plan will be available by early October in all ADF&G area offices and on the troll fishery website.

For more information please see the 2018 Spring Troll Fishery Management Plan (PDF 5,470 kB)

Purse Seine Fishery

There are no more reports for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine fishery.

For more information please see the 2018 Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Fishery Management Plan (PDF 299 kB)

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Traditional Southeast area drift gillnet fisheries occur in Districts 1, 6, 8, 11, and 15. For more specific information please see the  2018 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 526 kB)

Tree Point/Section 1-B

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open four days starting at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, September 9, 2018. Harvest for all species of salmon were below the 10-year average. The effort level of 35 vessels was below the 10-year average of 38 vessels. The estimate of harvest this week was 150 sockeye, 10,800 coho, 50 pink, and 4,000 chum salmon. The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery is currently being managed based on the strength of fall coho and chum salmon returns. Tree Point will be open four days, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, September 16.

For further details concerning this fishery, the 2018 Southeast Alaska drift gillnet fishery management plan is available at area offices or online 2018 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 526 kB)

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Gillnet fisheries in Districts 6 and 8 were managed based on wild coho salmon abundance during SW37. Both districts opened for 96 hours beginning Sunday, September 9. Harvest rates for wild coho salmon in District 6 were just below average with an above average level of participation. Wild coho salmon harvest rates in District 8 were above average with below average effort. The hatchery component is expected to make up at least a half of the harvest this week. Wild coho salmon returning to systems in Districts 6 and 8 typically peaks during the first half of September with the hatchery component peaking during the second half of the month; thus, timing is likely past peak for the wild component. Both districts will open for 72 hours beginning Sunday, September 16.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Coho salmon catch rates in the District 11 drift gillnet fishery were above a recent 10-year average overall this week but fell significantly each day of the three-day opening. Fleet size remained low with approximately 20 boats participating. The most consistent fishing appeared to be in the Point Bishop area where the harvest was largely made up of hatchery coho salmon returning to release sites in Gastineau Channel.

The Taku River coho salmon run size projection rose slightly from last week to nearly 77,000 fish. The run is currently 70% through the fish wheels based on historical run timing and judging by the falling catch rates in Taku Inlet may have a weak tail end. Since the US is obligated to pass 75,000 fish inriver under terms of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, a more conservative opening is warranted next week.

The Speel Arm Special Harvest Area (SHA) is closed for the season and total harvest there will be around 24,000 sockeye salmon. The lower bound of the Speel Lake wild sockeye salmon escapement goal range was obtained and fish are still trickling through the weir in small numbers.

District 11 will open for two days next week and department personnel will continue to survey the fishery and be prepared to announce an extension if coho salmon abundance appears solid. If fishery performance continues to fall off and Taku River coho salmon run size estimates reflect this decrease, the season may be wrapping up sooner than later.

Lynn Canal/District 15

District 15 drift gillnet fishery opened on September 9 for two days with a 24-hour extension in Section 15A and Section 15C. Chilkat Inlet remained closed north of Twin Coves. Chilkoot Inlet was open for 4 days north of Mud Bay Pt. The outside of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest (THA) area opened and closed with the rest of Section 15-C. The inside area of Boat Harbor THA was open continuously.

Escapement projects began on the Chilkoot and Chilkat weirs in June to enumerate the sockeye salmon spawning stocks. The Chilkoot fish weir sockeye salmon counts are in the upper portion of the escapement goal, and with numbers dwindling the weir was pulled on September 9th. Chilkat weir sockeye salmon count is progressing and with the commercial fleet switching to larger mesh sizes escapement has increased and is nearing the lower end of the goal range. Chilkat River Chinook salmon escapement assessment projects are currently underway to determine the total return for 2018. Coho salmon returns to the Chilkat River are monitored by the Chilkat Fish Wheels and catches have been above average. Chum salmon returns are also monitored by the Fish Wheels and catches are below average.

Drift gillnet gear is the most common commercial salmon fishing gear in District 15. The number of tenders representing multiple seafood processers was adequate for the estimated 50 fishing vessels participating.

An estimated 6,000 chum salmon were harvested which is half of the 10-year average for this stat week. Coho salmon harvests were estimated at 8,000 fish which is near the 10-year average. Sockeye salmon harvest are very low due to most of the fleet fishing with fall gear with larger mesh sizes to target chum and coho salmon.

Next week (sw 38) District 15 will start with a two day opener with the same lines keeping the fleet south of Twin Coves in Chilkat Inlet. Lutak and Chilkoot Inlet will close with the rest of the district as the Chilkoot salmon weir has been pulled and the Chilkoot coho salmon run cannot support high effort. Sport division will have a Chilkat River coho salmon in-season forecast by the end of the week which will provide more information.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Coho salmon runs throughout the Yakutat area continue to remain strong with above average sized fish. The coho salmon harvest has been well above average and this week marks the peak week of the run. Coho salmon prices went up 10 cents last week and fishermen are getting $1.10/lb which is above the latest 5-year average.

In the Yakutat District, the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet, Yakutat Bay, and Manby Shore-Outside Waters were the only areas fished this week. The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet fishery was extended by one day and accounted for much of the effort and harvest. In the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet, 76 permits harvested approximately 17,000 coho salmon. Fewer than three permits fished Manby Shore and Yakutat Bay and harvest information is confidential. All other fisheries in the remainder of the Yakutat District were opened but not fished.

In the Yakataga District, the Tsiu, Kaliakh, Seal, and Tashalich rivers received fishing effort this week. The Seal and Tashalich rivers were fished by fewer than three permits and harvest information is confidential. In the Tsiu/Tsivat River, five permits harvested 3,000 coho salmon. The Kaliakh River was opened for 4.5 days and four permits harvested 650 coho salmon. All other fisheries in the Yakataga District were opened but not fished.

Weekly surveys have been conducted on the Lost (Tawah), Situk and Tsiu/Tsivat rivers and all coho salmon escapement goals have been met or exceeded. The latest update on the Klukshu River weir from our Canadian counterparts suggest that the Klukshu Chinook salmon Biological Escapement Goal (BEG) has been achieved and it is likely the sockeye salmon BEG will also be achieved. The current Klukshu River weir count of 5,200 sockeye salmon is just under the minimum goal of 7,500 fish and the run is yet to be over.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) gillnet fisheries occur in Nakat Inlet, Neets Bay, Anita Bay, Deep Inlet, and Boat Harbor. THA seine fisheries occur in Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Deep Inlet, and Hidden Falls.

Nakat Inlet THA

The forecasted return of Nakat Inlet summer chum salmon is 260,300 and for fall chum salmon is 56,890. Nakat Inlet opened to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and troll gear on Friday, June 1, 2018. The Nakat Inlet harvest through statistical week 37 is 168,000 chum salmon, or 52% of the total forecast. This total includes 63,000 chum salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear and 6,000 chum salmon harvested by purse seine gear in the traditional fishery and 99,000 chum salmon harvested in the THA.

For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website .

Neets Bay THA

The Neets Bay forecasted return for summer chum salmon is 1,347,900, for fall chum salmon is 59,400, for Chinook salmon is 18,100, and for coho salmon is 82,716. Neets Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and purse seine gear on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. The Neets Bay chum salmon harvest through statistical week 37 is approximately 1,002,000 salmon. This total includes 158,000 chum salmon harvested by purse seine gear, 42,000 chum salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear, and 100,000 chum salmon harvested by troll gear in the traditional fishery and 94,000 chum salmon harvested by purse seine gear, 18,000 chum salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear, 33,000 chum salmon harvested by troll gear, 390,000 chum salmon harvested for cost recovery in the THA, and 168,000 chum salmon reserved for broodstock. The harvest of Chinook salmon in the Neets Bay THA is 4,300 salmon by purse seine gear and 2,500 salmon by drift gillnet gear.

For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website .

Kendrick Bay THA

The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay summer chum salmon is 632,500. Kendrick Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by purse seine gear on Friday, June 15, 2018. The Kendrick Bay harvest through statistical week 37 is 436,000 chum salmon, or 69% of the summer forecast. This total includes 235,000 chum salmon harvested by purse seine gear and 47,000 chum salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear in the traditional fishery and 154,000 chum salmon harvested in the THA.

For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website .

Anita Bay THA

At the time of publication, approximately 11,000 Chinook, 92,000 chum, and 1,000 coho salmon have been harvested in Anita Bay. The 2018 preseason forecast for Anita Bay coho salmon is 9,900 fish. The THA is open to all gear groups concurrently until 12:00 noon, November 10.

For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website .

Deep Inlet THA

The Deep Inlet THA opened on May 1; rotational fisheries began on June 17, with seine openings on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and gillnet openings on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Forecast returns for Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA) and Medvejie Hatchery includes 1,250,000 chum salmon, 12,700 Chinook salmon, and 66,000 coho salmon. This season, 90,000 chum salmon are needed for broodstock. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) does not anticipate cost recovery operations this season in the Deep Inlet THA. Seine harvest to date is 4,400 Chinook salmon and 912,000 chum salmon; gillnet harvest to date is 3,100 Chinook salmon and 310,000 chum salmon.

Hidden Falls THA

To date there have been six common property openings in the Hidden Falls THA. The Hidden Falls THA is currently closed to allow hatchery operators opportunity to collect chum salmon for brood stock. Subsequent openings will be dependent on brood stock collection and inseason run strength. Forecast returns for 2018 Hidden Falls THA includes 593,000 chum, 191,000 coho, and 2,000 Chinook salmon.  NSRAA needs 190,000 chum salmon for broodstock, leaving 403,000 chum salmon available for common property harvests. NSRAA does not intend to use a tax assessment on the common property harvest of chum salmon to satisfy cost recovery needs as provided under AS 16.10.455. Seine harvest through July 12 in the Hidden Falls THA is approximately 1,000 Chinook salmon and 248,400 chum salmon.

Crawfish Inlet THA

There have been four common property opening in the Crawfish Inlet THA. More common property seine openings will occur on Sunday and Thursday of each week from September 16 through September 30. The chum salmon harvest to date for Crawfish Inlet is approximately 3,100,000 chum salmon; approximately 1.700,000 chum salmon have been harvested in the common property seine openings and troll harvest to date is 219,500 chum salmon.

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

The Copper River opened to commercial fishing on Monday, September 10 and Thursday, September 13.

The Bering River opened to commercial fishing on Monday, September 10 and Thursday, September 13.

For the week ending September 8, the Copper River Delta survey count was 40,700 coho salmon versus a projected range of 21,447–44,904. For the week ending September 8, the Bering River Delta survey count was 26,525 coho salmon versus a projected range of 8,803–22,345

Escapement monitoring at the Miles Lake Sonar Station for sockeye and Chinook salmon returns to the Copper started on May 10. Through July 28, 701,577 salmon were enumerated at the sonar site versus an anticipated range of 601,093–965,108 salmon for this date.

The Coghill River weir washed out for the second time this season on Monday, July 9. Passage to-date is a partial count of 30,954 sockeye salmon versus an anticipated range of 18,958–56,873 fish for this date.

Effort has returned to the Copper River District with twice-a-week openers. The Copper River and Bering River districts switched to coho salmon management starting with the Thursday August 16 openers.

Cumulative Copper River District coho salmon harvest is approximately 283,000 fish and is above the recent 10-year average to date. Copper River District commercial sockeye salmon harvest to date is 44,400 fish, which is the second lowest harvest to date in the past 50 years. Cumulative Bering River District coho salmon harvest is approximately 108,300 fish and is above the recent 10-year average to date.

Coghill District chum salmon and Eshamy District sockeye salmon cumulative harvest to date harvest are 1.8 million chum and 970,000 sockeye salmon, respectively. The Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) chum salmon run came in under forecast and the Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) sockeye salmon run came in over forecast.

The Copper River District switched to coho salmon management starting Thursday, August 16. Commercial fishery management decisions for the remainder of the Copper River commercial fishing season will be dependent on coho salmon harvest levels and escapement into Copper River Delta index systems. Aerial surveys for Delta index systems occur weekly.

• 2018 Prince William Sound Management Outlook (PDF 154 kB)
• 2018 Prince William Sound Salmon Allocation Plan (PDF 122 kB)
• Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) hatchery forecasts
• Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) hatchery forecasts

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

The Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, Southwestern, Montague, and Southeastern districts opened to purse seine fishing for 12-hour periods every day from September 8 to September 15. All purse seine districts will close for the 2018 season following the September 15 periods.

Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) has reached their pink salmon egg-take goal. Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) has completed pink salmon egg takes at Armin F. Koernig (AFK) and Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) and is approximately 94% complete at Cannery Creek Hatchery (CCH).

The cumulative Prince William Sound (PWS) pink salmon harvest through September 14 is estimated at 20.1 million common property fish (CPF), 1.1 million VFDA cost recovery fish, and 1.3 million PWSAC cost recovery fish, for a total of 22.5 million pink salmon. The 5-year even-year average (2008–2016) cumulative PWS pink salmon harvest (cost recovery and CPF fish) through September 14 is 38.9 million fish. No purse seine harvest has been reported since September 10.

• 2018 Prince William Sound Management Outlook (PDF 154 kB)
• 2018 Prince William Sound Salmon Allocation Plan (PDF 122 kB)
• Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) hatchery forecasts
• Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) hatchery forecasts

Inseason Harvest Information

• Bristol Bay Daily Run Summary
• Bristol Bay Inseason Harvest Summary
• Bristol Bay Salmon Escapement
• Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute (BBSRI) - Port Moller Test Fishery
• Bristol Bay Fisheries Collaborative (BBFC)

Naknek-Kvichak District

There are no more reports for the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Egegik District

There are no more reports for the Egegik District.

Ugashik District

There are no more reports for the Ugashik District.

Nushagak District

There are no more reports for the Nushagak District.

Togiak District

There are no more reports for the Togiak District.

Upper Cook Inlet (UCI)

All set net fisheries including the Northern District Set Gillnet fishery, Western, Kustatan, and Kalgin Island Subdistrict Set Gillnet fisheries all remain open for their Monday and Thursday regular 12 hour periods.  By regulation, the Central District Drift Gillnet fishery will be in Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4 during their Monday and Thursday regular 12 hour periods.

The final total sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kasilof River was 394,288. Total escapement in the Kasilof River surpassed the Optimal Escapement Goal (OEG) of 160,000-390,000. The final Kenai River sockeye salmon passage estimate was approximately 1,034,771 fish. Approximately 51% of sockeye salmon passage in the Kenai River has occurred in the month of August and run timing models project the Kenai River sockeye salmon run is about 9 days late. This unprecedented late return of Kenai River sockeye salmon in the month of August has occurred in only one other year (2006).

The three weir projects monitoring sockeye salmon passage in the Northern District of Upper Cook Inlet including Chelatna Lake, Judd Lake, and Larson Lake have all met their minimum Sustainable Escapement Goals (SEGs) and are done counting for the 2018 season.

The final offshore test fish boat (OTF) cumulative sockeye salmon index through July 30th is 1,231.

Current participation levels are about average for this time of year. Only a handful of fishermen typically participate this late in the season.

With below average sockeye salmon escapement into the Kenai River, commercial fishing opportunities in Upper Cook Inlet have been limited severely.

The regular drift commercial fishing period on Monday, August 20th occurred in Drift Gillnet Area 3 and 4. Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) Commercial Fishing Announcement No. 31 opens drift gillnetting in Drift Gillnet Area 1 on Thursday, August 23, 2018. By regulation, Drift Gillnet Area 3 and 4 remained open on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

The Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery was scheduled to have its final fishing period Monday August 13th, however this period was cancelled due to Kenai sockeye salmon conservation purposes. A total of 2,148 Chinook and 283,337 sockeye salmon have been harvested from the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery.

Total harvest from the drift fleet through September 7 is approximately 397,562 sockeye and 486 Chinook salmon.

Total harvest in the Western Subdistrict Set Gillnet Fishery through September 7 is 62 king and 35,348 sockeye salmon.

The Northern Subdistrict set gillnet fishery has harvested 48,290 sockeye salmon and 130 king salmon since June 28.

The Kalgin Island Subdistrict set gillnet fishery has harvested 34,217 sockeye and 24,889 coho salmon. The Kustatan Subdistrict has harvested 2,668 sockeye salmon since June 25.

Upper Cook Inlet Sockeye Salmon Escapements

General Information

The UCI commercial fisheries information line will again be available by calling 907-262-9611. The most recent EO announcement is always available on the recorded message line and catch, escapement and test fishing information are included whenever possible. The same recording may be accessed at Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Webpage and clicking on the UCI Commercial Fisheries Information Recording player.

All EO announcements are also faxed or emailed to processors as quickly as possible and posted at Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Webpage. For very general information, we invite you to visit the Commercial Fisheries Webpage.

Lower Cook Inlet (LCI)

There were no deliveries to the Lower Cook Inlet Area this week.

Kodiak

The Izhut Bay and Outer Kitoi Bay sections of the Afognak District closed Thursday, September 13 to secure additional coho salmon broodstock. The Duck Bay Section remains open.

The Cape Alitak, Alitak Bay, Moser Bay, and Olga Bay sections of the Alitak District remain open until further notice targeting Upper Station late-run sockeye salmon.

The Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District, Central, and North Cape sections of the Northwest Kodiak District, and the Outer Karluk, Sturgeon, and Halibut Bay sections of the Southwest Kodiak District are all open until further notice targeting Karluk late-run sockeye salmon.

The Inner Karluk Section is currently open through Sunday, September 16 targeting Karluk late-run sockeye salmon.

The Humpy-Deadman Section of the Alitak District, the Southeast Afognak, Raspberry Strait, Northwest Afognak District, Shuyak Island, Pauls Bay, Perenosa Bay, and Northeast Afognak sections of the Afognak District, the Uyak Bay, Zachar Bay, Spiridon Bay, Inner Uganik Bay, Terror Bay, Kizhuyak Bay, Sharatin Bay, and Anton Larsen Bay sections of the Northwest Kodiak District, the Hallo Bay and Big River sections of the Mainland District, the Eastside Kodiak District, and the Outer Ayakulik Section are currently open through Sunday, September 16 targeting local coho salmon.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the total Karluk River late-run sockeye salmon escapement was 276,402 fish, which was within the desired escapement range.  The total Karluk sockeye salmon escapement was 475,279 fish. A post weir estimate will be added.  Karluk River pink salmon escapement was above the desired the escapement range with 2,228,207 fish counted.  Karluk River Chinook salmon achieved the minimum escapement goal of 3,000 fish.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the Ayakulik River weir has been pulled for the season due to high water. Ayakulik late-run sockeye salmon escapement was 77,325 fish, which is within the desired escapement range. The total Ayakulik sockeye salmon escapement was 266,333 fish. Ayakulik River pink salmon escapement is below the desired escapement range for this date with only 378,084 fish counted through the weir. Ayakulik River Chinook salmon escapement is below the desired range for this date and non-retention of Chinook salmon was imposed on the commercial seine fleet.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station late-run sockeye salmon escapement through September 13 is 204,299 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. The total Upper Station sockeye salmon escapement through September 13 is 266,031 fish. The cumulative Frazer sockeye salmon escapement was 228,526 fish, which was above the desired escapement range.

Latest survey flights along with weir counts indicate that the Kodiak Area has achieved the minimum archipelago pink salmon escapement goal of 3,000,000 pink salmon with over 4,500,000 pink salmon escaped. Recent surveys indicate that the Mainland District has also achieved the minimum escapement goal of 250,000 pink salmon.

Only 153 seiners and 137 set gillnetters have participated in the Kodiak salmon fishery. Both are well below average.

As of September 13, approximately 1,700,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is well below average.  Approximately 460,000 chum salmon have been harvested, which is below average. Approximately 6,009,000 pink salmon have been harvested in the KMA, which is well below average.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kodiak Management Area webpage.

North Peninsula

There are no more reports for the North Peninsula District.

For more information please see  South Alaska Peninsula Salmon Management Strategy, 2018 (PDF 3,457 kB)

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage.

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

Chignik

No commercial sockeye salmon fisheries have occurred in Area L for the period of September 7–September 13.

The Chignik River weir was removed on August 20 after a high water event in the prior days. Through August 18 (the final day of weir counts), approximately 420,000 sockeye salmon had passed through the Chignik weir. Since the removal of the weir, the department has been using DIDSON sonar to estimate daily fish passage. Through September 6, the total estimated sockeye salmon escapement is approximately 522,000 fish.

From late June through July (the peak overlap period of the early to late Chignik River sockeye salmon run transition), genetic samples were taken over 6 sampling periods to help define the timing of the run transition. The samples were analyzed after the last sample in late July, and the results were applied to the overall escapement to apportion the early and late runs. With the genetic information, the Chignik River early run was estimated at 263,979 fish through July 31. The early run was well below the minimum escapement goal of 350,000 fish and well below all recent averages. The Chignik River late run sockeye salmon through September 5 is estimated at 257,278 sockeye salmon. Daily late run escapement has picked up in the latter part of August however the overall 2018 late run is weak and tracked below the minimum escapement objectives until about August 29. In September, there is a Chignik inriver run goal (IRRG) of 50,000 sockeye salmon. Through September 6, the total September escapement was approximately 17,000 fish. Post weir estimates have not been produced at this time and it is uncertain at this time if the IRRG will be met. Daily sockeye salmon escapement is dropping, and no commercial fisheries are planned to target sockeye salmon.

The department conducted aerial surveys from late June through August in the Central, Western, Perryville, and Eastern districts. Chum salmon escapement was approximately 75% of the minimum escapement for the entire CMA, and pink salmon escapement was approximately 25% of the minimum escapement for the entire CMA. Coho salmon are beginning to arrive in some CMA streams. There are no established escapement goals for coho salmon.

From June 1 until July 25th sockeye salmon harvested in the areas adjacent to the CMA are considered bound for Chignik. No fishing periods occurred in the Cape Igvak Section of area K, or in the Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) of Area M during this season's allocation period.

The CMA has had two fishing periods, for 48 hours each with very few areas open this season. The first fishing period opened with the intent to target early pink and chum salmon while the second fishing period was intended to provide opportunity targeting coho salmon. Very little effort occurred in either fishery. The total 2018 harvest is currently 128 sockeye, 1 coho, 6 pink salmon, and 924 chum salmon. Due to the poor returns of sockeye salmon, which has restricted fishing opportunity, harvest for all species is minimal and well below average.

For more information, please visit the Chignik Management Area webpage.

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

Yukon River

The current fall chum salmon run size is over 1.2 million fish and has exceeded the preseason projection of 700,000-900,000 fish. The fall chum salmon directed commercial fishery ended in the Lower Yukon on August 31 and the coho salmon directed fishery ended September 10.

The preliminary cumulative commercial harvest for the Lower Yukon River through September 10 is 370,266 fall chum salmon and 106,079 coho salmon. This is the 3rd largest harvest of fall chum salmon and 4th largest harvest of coho salmon in the Lower Yukon River since 1961.

In the Upper Yukon River, commercial fishing is open in Districts 4-6 for the fall chum salmon directed fishery. Fishermen may use fish wheels or set gillnets with six inch or smaller mesh size. District 4 and Subdistricts 5-B and 5-C remain open seven days per week. The main buyers are done operating for the season. District 6 in the Tanana River is open for two 42-hour periods per week. Only one buyer operated this week. We expect some harvest to occur in late September when the air temperature cools down. Preliminary harvest for the Upper Yukon River is 1,730 fall chum salmon and 1 coho salmon.

The mainstem sonar project near Pilot Station concluded on September 7. As of that date, the estimated passage at the sonar project near Pilot Station in the lower Yukon River was 927,400 fall chum salmon, which is above the median of 706,600. Coho salmon passage is 137,400 which is below the median of 160,300. Fall chum and coho salmon ran late this season.

Kuskokwim River

There are no more reports for the Kuskokwim River.

For more information please see: Kuskokwim River Subsistence Fishery Outlook and Fishing Restrictions (PDF 123 kB)

Norton Sound

Commercial fishing is wrapping up. This year's ex-vessel value was the highest at $4 million, surpassing the previous record in 1978 ($3.5 million adjusted to 2018 dollars). In 1978 there were 176 permit holders fishing compared to 155 permit holders this year; the highest number since 1987 when 164 permit holders fished. The coho salmon harvest was the highest on record and the chum salmon harvest was the second highest on record. Weirs in Nome and Snake rivers have been getting record coho salmon passage for the second week of September.The harvest exceeded the forecast for chum and coho salmon. The only reason the pink salmon harvest was within the forecasted range was because of a lack of interest on behalf of the buyer. Pink salmon were a little smaller in size this year enabling a lot them to pass through nets.

For more information please see the 2018 Norton Sound Management Plan (PDF 393 kB)

Kotzebue

The fishing season completed at the end of August with record harvest of 695,000 chums.

For more information please see the 2018 Kotzebue Salmon Management Plan (PDF 161 kB)