Correction: The biological escapement goal for Chinook on the Situk River is 450-1050, not 450-1000, as this article previously stated based on meeting materials. The Empire would also like to clarify that a July 12 rule prohibited catch and release fishing for sockeye in the Situk River area, not just the retention of sockeye salmon. This article has been updated to reflect the change.
The Alaska Board of Fisheries has turned down a proposal to halt sport fishing for all salmon species in the Situk River drainage near Yakutat.
The decision came at a BoF meeting in Anchorage on Tuesday, during which the board considered four emergency petitions aimed at protecting struggling salmon stocks across the state.
Yakutat is one of those areas. In late June, a historic low return of sockeye forced the shutdown of the commercial set net sockeye fishery on the Situk River. Returns for king salmon have been similarly dismal, and retention of both of those species has been reduced in the area.
As of July 9, the river’s fish weir counted 5,264 sockeye salmon and 77 large Chinook. Managers want to see 30,000-70,000 sockeye and 450-1050 Chinook for a healthy run to reproduce. Sport fishing for sockeye on the Situk, Lost, and Ahrnklin river drainages was closed July 12.
With commercial fishing closed, sport fishing of king and sockeye prohibited, and subsistence fishing curtailed, the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe proposed closing sport fishing completely to protect sockeye and king from mortality caused by catch and release sport fishing for other species, which is still allowed in some areas.
The petition failed without reaching a vote as the board did not enter a motion for a vote. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game argued against the petition, saying it did not meet the criteria for an emergency regulations change and that it’s not necessary to close down sport fishing for all species isn’t typical when one or two species are struggling, ADFG wrote.
