Contact:
Tom Taube
Tom Taube
Phone: Management Coordinator

The Division of Sport Fisheries is closing the Unlalakleet and Shaktoolik river drainages to the retention or possession of king salmon, effective 12:01 P.M. Saturday, July 8, 2006.  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.  This Emergency Order will remain in effect through August 15, 2006 or until additional in-season assessments suggest that escapement goals will be met for king salmon on the Unalakleet and Shaktoolik rivers.

Escapement counts of king salmon at the North River tower on the Unalakleet River are below historic averages.  As of July 5th only 294 king salmon had passed the counting tower.  From 2001 – 2005 an average of 399 king salmon had passed the counting tower by this date.  During this time period the escapement goal of 1,200 – 2,400 king salmon was not met in two of the five years (2004 and 2005) when escapement past the tower was substantially higher than 2006.   Although it is still early in the run, it appears that the escapement goal for king salmon will not be reached in 2006.

The Department does not have a stock assessment project in the Shaktoolik River, but the king salmon run generally cycles in accordance with Unalakleet stocks.  Unalakleet River test fishery indices are also below historic averages for this date.  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 in accordance with provisions set forth in 5 AAC 75.003 (1)(A).  This action should minimize catch-and-release mortality for king salmon incidentally caught while sport fishing for other species.

The Department will continue to evaluate in-season run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement requirements are met.  If in-season stock assessment information indicates that the king salmon escapement goal in the Unalakleet River will be met, restrictions will be relaxed.

DISTRIBUTION:

Office of the Governor; Lt. Governor; Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game; Director, Division of Sport Fish; Regional Supervisors, Division of Sport and Commercial Fisheries; Members of Board of Fisheries; Director, Fish and Wildlife Protection; Detachment Commander and Area Officer, Local Fish and Game Advisory Chairman; Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound and Glennallen Area Biologists, Division of Sport Fish and Commercial Fisheries; Juneau, Region I; Fairbanks, Region III; and selected area newspapers, radio and television stations.