Alaska Salmon Fisheries in the Crosshairs
— ADF&G Press Release
Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526
Press Release: October 29, 2026
CONTACT: Communications Director Patty Sullivan patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 331-9100.
Alaska Salmon Fisheries in the Crosshairs
Washington-based Conservation Group To Sue over Chinook
Oct. 29, 2026, ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has received a notice of intent to sue from Wild Fish Conservancy over the management of sport and commercial salmon fisheries in the Alaska Peninsula, Chignik and Kodiak areas, alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Washington-based conservation organization is the same group that sued to shut down Southeast Alaska troll fisheries and petitioned to list all Chinook stocks in the Gulf of Alaska as threatened or endangered under the ESA. The appeals court found that shutting down the fishery was not justified and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined that ESA listings were not warranted. Sweeping and broadly framed allegations appear again in their latest complaint.
"The WFC intent letter is wide ranging--involving salmon stocks from the Yukon to Oregon, 3 management entities, 3 fishing areas, 3 federal laws, 2 lawsuits, and 1 petition. It's a lot to unpack," said Dani Evenson,ADF&G Policy Advisor. We'll know more if we receive a lawsuit."
"Sustainable management of our fisheries is the bedrock concept of our salmon management program," said Doug Vincent-Lang,ADF&G Commissioner. "We do not take such unfounded allegations lightly. As we did with the previous unjustified actions by this group, we will defend Alaska's fisheries."
The letter also states the intent to sue the NMFS over alleged ESA, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and National Environmental Policy Act violations, and petition the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to rewrite salmon fishery management plans.
ADF&G is still reviewing the notice.