Contact:
Brendan Scanlon
Northwest Area Manangement Biologist
Phone: 907-459-7268
May 29, 2013
The Division of Sport Fish is closing the Unalakleet and Shaktoolik river drainages to the retention of king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013. This emergency order prohibits the harvest of king salmon while sport fishing in these waters. In addition, this emergency order prohibits the use of bait in these drainages. King salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. A king salmon stamp is still required when catch-and-release fishing for king salmon.
Preseason projections indicate that king salmon runs into the Unalakleet and Shaktoolik rivers will be poor. The king salmon Biological Escapement Goal (BEG) at the North River counting tower on the Unalakleet River is 1,200 – 2,600 fish, and has been met just 4 times in the previous 10 years (2003 – 2012). According to the Subdistricts 5 and 6 of the Norton Sound District and the Unalakleet River King Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 04.395), if the marine waters subsistence fishery is restricted to less than two 48-hour periods, the sport fishery will be restricted to catch-and-release fishing.
The Department does not have a stock assessment project in the Shaktoolik River, but the king salmon run generally cycles in accordance with Unalakleet River stocks. The elimination of sport harvests of king salmon in the Unalakleet and Shaktoolik rivers will provide protection for returning fish. The prohibition of bait while sport fishing is intended to minimize catch-and-release mortality for king salmon.
The Department will evaluate inseason run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement requirements are met and continue to provide fishing opportunity throughout the run. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that the king salmon escapement goal in the Unalakleet River will be met, restrictions will be relaxed.
For additional information contact Brendan Scanlon, Northwest & North Slope Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7268.