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Lower Kuskokwim Fish and Game Advisory Committee Opposes King Salmon Subsistence Permits

Anna Rose MacArthur
/
KYUK

Two fishery proposals passed and two proposals failed at the Lower Kuskokwim Fish and Game Advisory Committee meeting Friday. The group consists of representatives from the lower Kuskokwim communities from the river’s mouth northeast to Tuluksak. The advisory group's work then goes to the state Board of Fish for a final decision.

The committee unanimously opposed a proposal that would require subsistence users to apply for permits to fish for king salmon on the Kuskokwim during times of low Chinook runs.

Also, the committee unanimously opposed a proposal to classify the king salmon subsistence fishery on the Kuskokwim as a Tier II fishery. That would mean that when there’re not enough king salmon for all subsistence users, residents would be required to apply for permits to fish for Chinook. Only those who score highest on Tier II applications would receive permits.

Napaskiak representative Earl Samuelson explained the reasons he voted against both changes were basic:

“More regulation in place makes it more impossible to get out and do some fishing," he said, "and it might limit someone who was trying to pass on their culture and tradition to the younger generation.”

Here are the proposals that passed:

The advisory group passed a recommendation to allow the Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner to open at least one fishing period per week for six-inch or less mesh gillnets before June 12, when salmon fishing opens. The nets would be set-nets placed near the shore, away from the main channel. The proposal is intended to allow subsistence users to get a taste of other fish, such as whitefish, sheefish, and pike, while king salmon are dispersing throughout the river drainage.

Lastly, the group passed a proposal to remove sport crab fishery regulations for shellfish in the Kuksokwim-Goodnews and Yukon areas. That would mean lifting regulations on bag, possession, and size limits for crab fishing in those waters.

The Alaska Board of Fish meeting is March 24 in Anchorage.

The meetings for the Bethel and Central Kuskokwim advisory committees have not yet been scheduled.

Anna Rose MacArthur served as KYUK's News Director from 2015-2022.