Fish Council Sets 25,000 Cap on Chinook Salmon Bycatch in Gulf Pollock Fishery

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council took final action over the weekend and set a 25,000 cap on Chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery. During deliberations in Nome, the Council considered a range of caps from 15,000 to 30,000.

Before reaching their decision, Council members listened to testimony from the pollock industry, requesting the least restrictive cap. They also heard testimony and received a signed letter from more than 500 fishermen and coastal Alaskans requesting that the Council choose the preferred alternative of 22,500 kings. In the end, the majority of Council members voted in favor of setting a 25,000 limit to provide fishing vessels with more cushion so they would be able to catch the allowable amount of pollock without coming up against the Chinook cap.

Commerce Announces 2011 Regional Fishery Appointments

Appointments Include Returning Members Eric Olson of Alaska and John Henderschedt of Washington

The Commerce Department announced the appointment of 21 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils. The appointments include Eric Olson of Alaska and John Henderschedt of Washington, who are returning to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for another term.

Click on the title of this post or go to the link below to see the press release:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110602_fishmanagementcouncil.html

South Unimak and Shumagin Islands June Fisheries Opens to Commercial Salmon Fishing June 7th

The South Unimak and Shumagin Islands June fisheries will open to commercial salmon fishing during the follwing times and dates:

From 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 10
From 6 a.m. Sunday, June 12 to 10 p.m. Wednesday June 15
From 6 a.m. Friday, June 17 to 10 pm Monday, June 20
From 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 22 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25
From 6 a.m. Monday, June 27 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 29

The June fishery occurs in the following districts and sections:
Unimak District
Bechevin Bay Section of the Northwestern District
Southwestern District
West and East Pavlof Bay sections of the South Central District
Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District

All closed waters in the above locations will be as described in the regulation book or as adjusted by emergency order.

Subsistence permits for the Alaska Peninsula are available in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game offices in Sand Point, Cold Bay and Port Moller. Subsistence fishermen must obtain a permit and have it in their possession while harvesting salmon under subsistence guildelines.

Salmon fishery announcements will be broadcast on VHF channels 6 and 73 daily at 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and may also be obtained from ADF&G in Sand Point at (907) 383-2334.