Subscribe to ReelTimes

February 2020
Issue 26

---

Fish Rules – How Sport Fishing Regulations are Created

If you fish in Alaska, you’ve likely encountered the sport fishing regulations summary books. There are four separate books that detail the do’s and don’ts of fishing in Alaska.

Ever wonder how those regulations are created?

In this issue of Reel Times we’ll explore in detail how sport fishing regulations are created. It’s a fascinating process that centers on the Alaska Board of Fisheries and you, the angling public.

If you have yet to purchase your 2020 sport fishing license, please do so by visiting our online store: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/.

Be sure to follow us on social media. You’ll find us on Instagram @wefishak, on Facebook @wefishak and on YouTube.

Get Out and Fish. Together.

We’ll see you on the water.

Division of Sport Fish
Alaska Department of Fish and Game

How are Sport Fishing Regulations created?

Sport fishing plays a vital role in many people’s lives. Some people fish for food, others for fun. To most, though, sport fishing in Alaska is largely a way to feed themselves and their families while enjoying time on the water. And if you’ve ever taken to the waters of Alaska, fishing rod in hand, you’ve no doubt encountered the sport fishing regulations summary books.

There are four separate sport fishing regulations summaries that provide regulatory information to sport anglers. These books are printed yearly and cover a specific area of the state.

Ever wonder how those regulations make it into these books?

In short, sport fishing regulations, as well as personal use, commercial, and subsistence regulations, are made by a seven-member board of Alaskans known as the Board of Fisheries (board). Board members are selected by the Governor and confirmed by the state legislature. Board members set fisheries management policies by deciding when and where specific user groups can fish, what gear may be used, or take other regulatory action based on input from members of local advisory committees, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the general public, and more.

The board tackles every region and species of fish across the state. Each is considered on a three-year cycle. It routinely considers up to 400 regulatory proposals every year.

Every year the board, through the ADF&G Boards Support section, asks the public for regulatory proposals according to a preset schedule. Once received, the proposals are published for all to review, the board solicits comments, receives ADF&G research and input, and conducts open meetings where old rules are confirmed or new rules are created.

ADF&G encourages everyone to take part. Whether it is submitting a proposal, commenting to the board, serving on an advisory committee, or seeking an appointment as a board member, your involvement matters.

The board will meet February 7-19, 2020, at the Eagan Center in Anchorage to discuss proposals related to Upper Cook Inlet finfish. It will address several proposals related to sport, personal use, commercial, and subsistence fisheries in Upper Cook Inlet.

To get involved or to learn more about this upcoming meeting, visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo&date=02-07-2020&meeting=anchorage

How Can You Get Involved in the Board of Fisheries Process?

Advisory Committees: The state’s 84 advisory committees, made up of local residents living in communities across Alaska, have intimate knowledge of the fish and wildlife resources in their backyards. With state assistance, they provide an important source of advice and support for board members. To learn more about Alaska’s advisory committees, visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=process.acregion

Submit a proposal: If you have an idea as to how to improve Alaska’s sport, commercial, personal use, or subsistence fishing opportunities, you can submit a proposal to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Learn more about the proposal process at: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=196553

Note: The Board is accepting proposed changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport, guided sport, and commercial fishing regulations for Southeast and Yakutat Finfish and Shellfish, Prince William Sound Finfish and Shellfish, and Statewide Other Shellfish (Excluding Southeast, Yakutat, and Prince William Sound) general provisions. The board may also consider subsistence proposals for other topics (including other areas) under the subsistence proposal policy, 5 AAC 96.615, if proposals are submitted within this deadline and the board determines they meet the criteria in either 5 AAC 96.615(a)(1) or (2).

Proposal Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2020

Attend a Board of Fisheries public meeting: Meeting information can be found at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo If you’re unable to attend a meeting in person, public meetings are broadcast live online at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

Sign up to receive information about the Board of Fisheries: You can sign up to receive email notifications about the Board of Fisheries at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AKDFG/subscriber/new

Contact Board of Fisheries members: You can reach Board of Fisheries members via email. Contact information can be found at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.bofmembers

Who Serves on the Alaska Board of Fisheries?

The Board of Fisheries consist of seven Alaskans who are selected by the Governor and confirmed by the state legislature. Board members set fisheries management policy by deciding when and where specific user groups can fish, what gear may be used, or to take other regulatory action based on input from members of local advisory committees, ADF&G, the general public, and more.

You can learn about board members at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.bofmembers

Reel Adventures

Ice fishing in Alaska is great winter activity that can be enjoyed by anglers of all skill levels. It’s fairly easy to get started ice fishing. Grab some ice fishing gear, a few friends, find a place to go, and head out for a day on the hard water.

On your next “Reel Adventure,” why not go ice fishing at a stocked lake?

You’ll find information on stocked lakes in Alaska at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SportStockingHatcheriesSearch.main

If you don’t have ice fishing gear, no problem. Some ADF&G offices loan ice fishing gear free of charge. You’ll find more information on the Rod Loaner Program at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=FishingSportFishAK.rodLoaner

Tight lines!

Field to Plate – Recipe of the Month

Got Alaska shrimp?

Try this delicious recipe for glazed Alaska spot shrimp from our friends at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. https://www.wildalaskaseafood.com/recipesdb/?recipeId=NDc2

If you have any questions about the Reel Times newsletter, please contact Ryan Ragan at ryan.ragan@alaska.gov