This is an announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome for subsistence salmon fishing in Shaktoolik, Subdistrict 5 and Unalakleet, Subdistrict 6.
Subsistence salmon fishing in Subdistricts 5 and 6:
• Marine waters of Shaktoolik, Subdistrict 5 and Unalakleet, Subdistrict 6 will open to gillnet fishing with
mesh size restricted to 6 inches or less, on the following schedule:
o From 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 23,
o From 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24, to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26,
o From 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 28, to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 30,
o From 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 31 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2.
This subsistence schedule will remain in place unless changed by a subsequent Emergency Order.
As Previously Announced:
• Freshwaters of Subdistricts 5 and 6 will remain closed to gillnet fishing except in the Unalakleet River upstream of the North River confluence where set gillnets with mesh size restricted to 4 inches or less are allowed to target non-salmon species.
• Beach seines are allowed in the freshwaters of Subdistricts of 5 and 6 with the non-retention of king salmon. Any king salmon caught in beach seining operations must be returned immediately to the water unharmed.
All salmon monitoring projects in southern Norton Sound are currently operable but escapement has been weak and will likely not meet objectives. Historically, the bulk of the king and chum salmon returns have entered freshwater streams by this time and subsistence harvest in marine waters is not expected to greatly influence current escapements.
The department flew aerial surveys in Subdistrict 5 and 6 rivers to determine missed passage at escapement projects. Results of these surveys confirmed that escapements were weak and that it was unlikely that king salmon escapement objectives would be met.
For any questions regarding this Advisory Announcement please call Fish & Game in Nome at 907-443-5167 or 1-800-560-2271.
