Contact:
Mike Thalhauser
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-267-2186
July 28, 2015
The Port of Valdez pink salmon bag and possession limits will increase to 12 salmon per day, 24 in possession, effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2015. The increased limit is effective for all marine waters north of line from Entrance Point to Potato Point (Valdez Narrows). Fresh water salmon closures remain in effect for Port Valdez.
Pink salmon returns to the Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) Solomon Gulch Hatchery (SGH) are far above anticipated. Pink salmon cost recovery efforts for this hatchery have been completed and they have secured sufficient broodstock at SGH.
As of July 26, the commercial fishing periods in the Eastern District have harvested over 32 million pink salmon. No wild stock concerns will occur from the increased bag limits and it is warranted to increase the pink salmon bag and possession limits in the Port Valdez marine waters for these surplus hatchery fish.
This strong return of pink salmon should provide anglers with a great opportunity to get out and catch some fish. Unlike many other Prince William Sound saltwater salmon fisheries, Valdez has many areas where shore anglers can cast for pinks, especially by the harbor and around Allison Point as well.
For more information about this emergency order, contact Area Sport Fisheries Management Biologist Mike Thalhauser in Anchorage at (907) 267-2186.