The state of Alaska is appealing its defeat in a lawsuit brought by the federal government over control of salmon fisheries on the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska.

Forecasts for chinook, chum, sockeye, and coho are mostly in line with what was seen last year.

The villages of Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok and Quinhagak will be eligible to harvest moose in the Kuskokwim River hunt area in Unit 18.

Panel members heard presentations and public comments on a range of salmon issues, including a recent Alaska Canada agreement to close chinook salmon fishing for 7 years.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which manages federal fisheries in Alaska, will continue to explore options for how to manage chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery.

Manaqing is a staple winter activity on the Kuskokwim River. KYUK’s news team drove down the ice highway to the manaq spot where the Johnson River meets the Kuskokwim to try and catch some fish.

A lawmaker from Kotzebue is seeking to amend the Alaska Constitution to resolve a longstanding conflict between the state and federal government on subsistence management. But multiple Alaska Native groups and Northwest Arctic leaders are speaking out against the measure.

According to a release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the in-river closure for one full king salmon life cycle is outlined in an agreement signed April 1 by the state agency and its Canadian counterpart.

Alaska’s governor has announced four appointments to the Alaska Board of Fisheries and the Alaska Board of Game, which oversee management of populations on the state’s lands and in its waters.

The state can’t allow salmon fishing on a long stretch of the Kuskokwim River if their orders conflict with federal management decisions, the judge ruled.