Contact:
Mark Somerville
UCUS Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-822-3309
June 14, 2016
Effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 18, all waters open to sport fishing in the upper Copper River drainage, upstream of the Klutina River, will be limited to catch-and-release for the remainder of the king salmon sport fishing season. In these same waters, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used.
The king salmon run to the Copper River appears to be weaker than the preseason forecast of 64,000 king salmon and run timing earlier than average. The cumulative commercial harvest, as of June 12, is approximately 10,554 king salmon. This is below the expected level, and is the 7th lowest cumulative harvest through this date since 1980. For comparison, cumulative harvest through June 12, 2015 was 17,746 king salmon.
Catch rates in the Native Village of Eyak research fish wheels through June 12 indicate early run timing and a cumulative catch less than the average for this date. Additionally, recapture rates of king salmon have been exceptionally high and project a potential inriver return below the lower end escapement goal for the Copper River drainage of 24,000 king salmon.
A cumulative count of 18 king salmon have passed the Gulkana River king salmon counting tower through June 12. These counts are 30% of the average for this date and with the king salmon run approximately 5 days early into the Copper River, the Gulkana River tower counts should be significantly higher than currently observed. Given the uncertainty associated with all of the indicators of Copper River king salmon abundance, a precautionary management approach in the upper Copper River fisheries is warranted.
The Copper River King Salmon Fishery Management Plan directs the department to manage the Copper River fisheries to achieve a sustainable escapement goal in the upper Copper River of 24,000 or more king salmon. From 2002–2008, Copper River king salmon escapement averaged 33,316 fish. From 2009–2015 spawning escapement averaged 24,820 king salmon and fell below escapement goal in 2 of those 7 years. Inseason run strength indicators through June 12, and generally poor stock performance trend over the last 7 years, indicate the need to take restrictive action and therefore justify prohibiting the retention of king salmon in the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery to ensure achievement of the sustainable escapement goal.
The department will continue to evaluate inseason run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement requirements are met.