Subsistence in Alaska
Fishing

Definition

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recognizes the definition of subsistence fishing to mean the taking of, fishing for, or possession of fish, shellfish, or other fisheries resources by a resident of the state for subsistence uses with gillnet, seine, fish wheel, long line, or other means defined by the Board of Fisheries.

Management

Management of subsistence fishing in state of Alaska-managed fisheries is handled by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries.

Management of subsistence fishing in Alaska became a bit more complex, however, when in 1990 the Federal government began managing subsistence hunting, trapping, and fishing on Alaska's Federal public lands and non-navigable waters, and again in 1999, when federal subsistence mangement expanded to include fisheries on all Federal public lands and waters.