Thursday, June 21, 2018

Aleutians East Borough Letter to ADFG Commissioner Cotten 06/20/18


On June 18, 2018 ADFG Sand Point released Commercial Salmon Fishery Announcement #5 an Emergency Order that slashed 48 hours from the 88 hour openings beginning June 20th for seine and drift fishermen and June 22th for set net. Although there was no explanation accompanying the original announcement, it became clear the fishery managers were taking the action as an emergency measure to help the failing Chignik first run of Sockeye salmon. Commissioner Sam Cotten  held a teleconference on the 19th to answer stakeholder questions, and on June 21st ADFG released the Emergency Order including justification for the action. On June 20th Mayor Alvin D. Osterback considered AEB options. The letter that follows is the AEB's initial response to the Emergency Order.

June 20, 2018

Commissioner Sam Cotten
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518

Commissioner Cotten,

The recent emergency management action taken by ADFG to restrict fishing on the South Peninsula was designed to address a failing first Chignik sockeye run. However, data from the WASSIP study suggests that very few Chignik fish will be conserved by restrictions proposed in some areas.

The table below shows numbers of Chignik fish harvested in each of four South Peninsula areas in the last third of June (Appendix D1-D3)[1] and the Chignik run size, for 2006, 2007, and 2008 (Tables 3-5)[2]. The figures are derived by multiplying estimated harvest numbers for each district in the last part of June, by the mean Chignik stock proportion in that fishery period for that year. If one divides that Chignik harvest number by the Chignik run size, the result is a harvest rate estimate for that fishery location and period on Chignik fish. In Shumagin, Unimak, and Ikatan, the harvest rate on Chignik fish is 1% or less for June 20-30. This means that for a Chignik run of 100,000, roughly 1,000 might be saved if no fishing occurred in these areas. In Unimak and Ikatan, the harvest rate is more like 0.5%, saving less than 500 fish.

(numbers in thousands)
2006
Chignik Harvest Rate
2007
Chignik Harvest Rate
2008
Chignik Harvest Rate
Chignik Run size
2,300

1,650

1,500

Shumagin catch of Chignik sockeye
18.1
0.008
14.3
0.009
17.0
0.011
Dolgoi catch of Chignik sockeye
88.1
0.04
8.8
0.005
6.77
0.005
Ikatan catch of Chignik sockeye
4.0
0.002
0.85
0.001
3.84
0.003
Unimak catch of Chignik sockeye
-
-
0.79
0.000
4.9
0.003

We suggest that the department adopt a more targeted and meaningful strategy that still provides some positive impact on the Chignik run, by restricting the Dolgoi area only. We know from the WASSIP study that a higher proportion of Chignik fish is harvested here. Clearly, actions in Unimak and Ikatan, will provide little impact on the troubled Chignik run. This would help alleviate substantial negative impacts on coastal communities of the South Peninsula. 

Sincerely,

Alvin D. Osterback, Mayor


[1] Stock Composition of Sockeye Salmon Harvests (WASSIP), 2006-2008.  ADFG Special Publication No. 12-22
[2] Harvest and Harvest Rates of Sockeye Salmon Stocks (WASSIP), 2006-2008.  ADFG Special Publication No. 12-24

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