Contact:
Daniel Teske
Juneau Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-465-4270

Juneau- The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the sport and personal use shrimp fisheries in Tenakee Inlet will remain closed until further notice. The closed area consists of all marine waters of Tenakee Inlet west of a line extending across the entrance of Tenakee Inlet from South Passage Point to East Point.

Data collected during the 2016 annual shrimp survey indicates that Tenakee Inlet shrimp abundance is showing improvements but levels still remain low. The Tenakee Inlet commercial pot shrimp fishery was closed in 2011 based on the lowest catch per unit effort (CPUE) in the department's shrimp surveys since 2000. The personal use and sport fisheries remained open in 2011; however, because CPUE in the survey declined even further in 2012, the personal use and sport fisheries were closed effective October 1, 2012. Based on poor 2013, 2014, 2015 and slightly improved survey results in 2016, continued conservation measures are necessary to rebuild this resource. The commercial fishery, personal use, and sport fishery will remain closed in 2017.

The intention of these closures is to allow shrimp abundance to rebound from the current low level. The department will continue annual surveys to monitor the Tenakee Inlet shrimp resource, and all Tenakee Inlet shrimp fisheries will remain closed until survey data indicates abundance can sustain future harvests.

For further information concerning this news release please contact the Douglas Regional Office at (907) 465-4270 or visit the office located at 802 3rd Street, Douglas, AK, or visit www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm