(Sitka) – Under provisions of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announces that the allowable harvest of “treaty” Chinook salmon for all Southeast Alaska fisheries (all-gear harvest quota) for 2014 is 439,400 fish. This compares with Chinook salmon all-gear harvest quotas of 176,000 in 2013 and 266,800 in 2012. Most Chinook salmon produced in Alaska hatcheries are harvested in addition to the annual all-gear harvest quota.

The annual all-gear harvest quota for Southeast Alaska is determined by the Chinook Technical Committee of the Pacific Salmon Commission. The quota is based on the forecast of aggregate abundance of Pacific Coast Chinook salmon stocks originating from river systems in the area subject to management under the treaty, which stretches from Cape Suckling, Alaska to Cape Falcon, Oregon. The actual Chinook salmon runs to a number of river systems in 2013, especially to portions of the Columbia River, were far in excess of the forecasted levels. Forecasts for large runs to those systems in 2014 are reflected in this year’s increased quota. 

Chinook harvest in Southeast Alaska is allocated to sport, commercial troll, and commercial net fisheries under management plans adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Information on fishery allocations and regulations for the 2014 season can be found in separate news releases for the sport, and commercial troll and net fisheries.  Links to those releases are below:

Sport fishery: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&NRID=1916

Commercial troll and net fisheries: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon
 

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