The Unalaska and Akutan District will open to commercial herring fishing for 24 hours from noon Sunday, July 15th until noon Monday, July 16, 2012.
Fishermen are reminded of the following closed waters: Waters of Unalaska Bay between Unalaska and Amaknak Islands, including Margret’s Bay, west of a line from the “Bishop’s House” at 53◦52.64’ N. lat., 166◦32.30’W. long to a point on Amaknak Island at 53◦52.82’ N. lat., 166◦32.13’ W. long. and north of a line from a point south of Agnes Beach at 53◦52.28’ N. lat., 166◦32.68’ W. long., to a point at 53◦52.35’ N. lat., 166◦ 32.95’ W. long. on Amaknak Island.
Each permit holder registered for the fishery is required to report fishing activities and harvest to the department by noon July 16, 2012 regardless of whether or not they fished or harvested any herring. The reports should be made to ADF&G in Dutch Harbor on VHF Channel 9 or by phone at (907) 581-1239.
Commercial fishing periods will be opened and closed by emergency order based upon anticipated fishing effort, harvest rates from previous openings, processing capacity, and the abundance of herring. The department will notify the fleet of subsequent fishing periods after catch reports are received and the amount of herring harvested during the prior period has been determined.
Prior to participating, fishermen must possess a current Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit for the fishery and must register with the department in Dutch harbor. Processors and tenders must also register with the department prior to taking any herring. Fishermen should have a secure market prior to harvesting any herring.
The 2012 Dutch harbor food and bait herring fishery allocation is 1,400 tons for purse seine and 227 tons for gillnet. For further information please contact ADF&G in Dutch Harbor at (907) 581-1239.
