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ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Cora Campbell, Acting Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Charles O. Swanton, Director

Contact:
Brendan Scanlon
Northwest Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-459-7268

May 28, 2014

GOLOVIN BAY AND SOUTHERN NORTON SOUND DRAINAGES CLOSED TO SPORT FISHING FOR KING SALMON ON JUNE 2

The Division of Sport Fish is closing all waters from Black Point to Point Romanof and from Rocky Point to Cape Denbigh to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2014. This emergency order prohibits the targeting of king salmon while sport fishing in these waters. Any king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Preseason projections indicate that king salmon runs into Norton Sound rivers will be poor. The king salmon Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) for the Kwiniuk River and Fish River/Boston Creek are 300 – 550 fish and 100 fish, respectively. The goal for the Kwiniuk River has been met just 3 times in the previous 10 years (2004 – 2013), while the Boston Creek goal has been met once out of 3 years during which counts were obtained, in most years from 2004 – 2013 conditions did not allow an aerial survey of Boston Creek to be completed.

The Department does not have king salmon stock assessment projects in other Norton Sound tributaries, but there is no indication that king salmon runs in Norton Sound are going to be better than those in other western Alaska drainages such as the Unalakleet, Yukon, and Kuskokwim drainages, all of which have already been closed to sport fishing for king salmon by emergency order. Subsistence fishing closures for king salmon will be implemented in Norton Sound waters beginning June 9th. The Department will continue to evaluate in-season run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement requirements are met.

For additional information contact Brendan Scanlon, Northwest & North Slope Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7268.