AlaskaOutdoor.com

2012 Kuskokwim Area Salmon Fishery News Release #1

2012 Kuskokwim Area Salmon Outlook and Management Strategy

KUSKOKWIM RIVER
2012 KUSKOKWIM RIVER SALMON OUTLOOK

The 2012 Chinook salmon forecast is for a return of 197,000 fish (range 158,000 to 236,000).
Broad expectations are developed based on parent-year escapements and recent year trends for
sockeye, chum, and coho salmon abundance which is expected to be similar to 2011. Anticipated
available surpluses for commercial harvest will range from 0 to 3,000 Chinook; 10,000 to 30,000
sockeye; 100,000 to 200,000 chum; and 100,000 to 200,000 coho salmon. Markets and
processing capacity are expected to be similar to last year.

2012 KUSKOKWIM RIVER PRELIMANARY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
State and federal fishery management staff will continue to follow guidelines outlined in the
Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan 5 ACC 07.365, to the extent possible, to meet
escapement goals, provide for subsistence use, and allow commercial fishing on available
harvestable surpluses. A subsistence fishing schedule will not be in effect at the start of the 2012
season.

Preseason management actions similar to those enacted in 2011 will be taken and jointly
recommended by ADF&G and USFWS in an attempt to conserve and meet Chinook salmon
escapement goals. After public input, a separate news release in May will describe the final 2012
Chinook salmon management strategy. Additional inseason management actions may be
implemented in response to weaker than anticipated return to the Kuskokwim River drainage.

Subsistence Fishery
Subsistence fishing is anticipated to be open 7 days per week with the exception of closures 6
hours before, during, and 3 hours after each commercial fishing period, unless superseded by
Emergency Order. In District 1, when one subdistrict is open to commercial fishing,
subsistence fishing will be allowed in the majority of the other subdistrict. During closed periods,
2012 Kuskokwim Area Salmon Outlook March 8, 2012
2
subsistence fishing for species other than salmon will be allowed with gillnets not exceeding 60
feet in length and a mesh size of 4 inches or less.
Subsistence hook and line fishing for any species of salmon will be allowed 7 days per week,
unless superseded by Emergency Order under 5AAC 01.295, Aniak River bag and possession
limits, from June 1 through August 31 when subsistence fishing with hook and line attached to a
rod or pole, in that portion of the Aniak River drainage upstream of Doestock Creek: The bag
and possession limit is as specified by species in 5AAC 71.010 except the bag and possession
limit for king salmon is two fish with no size or annual limit.

Commercial Fishery
District 1
As directed by the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan, a commercial fishery may be
prosecuted in June and July if salmon abundance is above the amounts necessary to meet
escapement goals and subsistence use. Processing capacity will limit commercial openings in
District 1 to alternating subdistrict openings. Commercial openings may be announced when no
large scale buyers are available to provide opportunity for permit holders operating as
catcher/sellers or catcher/processors. Contact the ADF&G office in Bethel for more information
about the catcher/seller or catcher/processor programs.
All commercial fishing periods will be limited to gillnets with 6-inch or smaller mesh size. As in
2011, there is the potential for opening the Lower Section of Subdistrict 1B for two additional
hours during commercial openings, dependent on salmon abundance and processor capacity.
Chinook salmon abundance, escapement and subsistence needs may limit commercial harvest of
chum and sockeye salmon in late June early July. A commercial fishery directed at coho salmon
is anticipated in late July and August.

Sport Fishery
Within the management plan, the sport fisheries for Chinook and chum salmon are to be
managed based on abundance. It is anticipated that preseason management actions on sport
fishing will be taken to conserve Chinook salmon.
Additional inseason restrictions may be implemented in response to weaker than anticipated
salmon runs in other Kuskokwim River tributaries as necessary. In the Kuskokwim River
drainage, the Chinook salmon sport fishing season will close by regulation on July 26.

Inseason Assessment and Research
Inseason indicators of salmon run strength include the Bethel Test Fishery, subsistence catch
reports, commercial catch statistics, aerial surveys, sonar, weirs, and additional tributary
escapement monitoring projects operated by an assortment of partnerships between State,
Federal, and Tribal organizations. Staff from Orutsararmiut Native Council will survey Bethel
Area subsistence fishermen to assess salmon run timing and abundance.

KUSKOKWIM BAY
2012 KUSKOKWIM BAY OUTLOOK
The Kuskokwim Bay has no formal forecast for salmon returns. Broad expectations are
developed based on parent-year escapements and recent year trends. It is expected that salmon
harvest in 2012 will be similar to 2011. Anticipated available surpluses for commercial harvest
are expected to range from 10,000 to 17,000 Chinook; 40,000 to 80,000 sockeye; 75,000 to
2012 Kuskokwim Area Salmon Outlook March 8, 2012
3
150,000 chum; and 40,000 to 80,000 coho salmon. Harvest may be affected by salmon
abundance, participation, market conditions, and processor capacity.
2011 KUSKOKWIM BAY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Subsistence Fishery
Department staff will be in contact with Kuskokwim Bay subsistence fishermen to determine if
subsistence needs will be met. Subsistence fishing will be allowed 7 days per week prior to the
commercial salmon fishing season. Once the commercial fishing season begins, subsistence
fishery closures will be reduced by emergency order from 16 hours before, during, and 6 hours
after, to 8 hours before, during, and 4 hours after each commercial fishing period.

Commercial Fishery
District 4
The Department intends to meet with Quinhagak residents prior to the commercial fishing
season. The District 4 commercial fishery will be managed in accordance with the District 4
Salmon Management Plan 5 ACC 07.367. By regulation, the commercial salmon fishery is to
open prior to June 16. Commercial fishing periods are established by emergency order. The
department shall allow for at least one 12-hour period per week unless a serious conservation
problem develops. Additional commercial fishing periods may be announced if salmon
abundance warrants. District 4 will open under Chinook salmon directed management. Once the
sockeye salmon catch comprises more than 50% of the combined sockeye and Chinook salmon
commercial catch, the district will be managed based on sockeye salmon abundance. A coho
salmon management directed fishery is anticipated to occur late July through August given
adequate run strength. Due to late Chinook salmon run timing and low abundance in recent years
the first commercial period might be postponed.

District 5
The Department intends to meet with Goodnews Bay area residents prior to the commercial
fishing season. It is anticipated the District 5 commercial fishery will open during the last week
of June, given adequate Chinook salmon abundance. Commercial fishing periods are established
by emergency order and it is anticipated the Department will allow for a minimum of one 12-
hour period per week. Additional fishing periods may occur provided adequate abundance and
processor capacity.

Sport Fishery
Within the District 4 Salmon Management Plan, sport fisheries are managed based on abundance
and commercial fishery performance. If necessary, inseason restrictions will be implemented in
accordance with District 4 Salmon Management Plan. Sport fishing daily bag and possession
limits for Chinook salmon is 3 per day with only 2 over 28 inches. The Kuskokwim Bay
Chinook salmon sport-fishing season will close by regulation on July 26.

Inseason Assessment and Research
Inseason indicators of salmon run strength include weir escapement projects, verbal subsistence
catch reports, commercial catch statistics, and aerial escapement surveys. Weirs will be operated
on the Kanektok and the Middle Fork Goodnews rivers to monitor salmon escapements and
collect biological data. Kanektok River weir will cease operations in mid-August to address
operational concerns caused by high water events common in August and September.
2012 Kuskokwim Area Salmon Outlook March 8, 2012
4
For more information contact:
ADF&G, Commercial Fisheries:
Chuck Brazil (907) 543-2709 (Bethel), or (907) 267-2303 (Anchorage)
Travis Elison (907) 543-2457 (Bethel), or (907) 267-2379 (Anchorage)
Chris Sheldon (907) 543-2433 (Bethel), or (907) 267-2166 (Anchorage)
Doug Bue (907) 543-2931 (Bethel)
ADF&G, Sport Fish Division:
John Chythlook (907) 543-1677 (Bethel), or (907) 459-7361 (Fairbanks)
USFWS, Yukon Delta Refuge:
Gene Peltola (907) 543-3151 (Bethel)
Robert Sundown (907) 543-1007 (Bethel)
Dan Gillikin (907) 543-1022 (Bethel)

SOUTHEAST ALASKA GROUNDFISH BYCATCH REGULATIONS APPLICABLE
IN THE COMMERCIAL HALIBUT FISHERY OCCURRING IN STATE WATERS
Sitka…The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today the following information concerning
regulations that apply during the 2012 Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) commercial halibut fishery. This
news release details bycatch regulations and allowances for state waters of Southeast Alaska east of
144°00.00' W. longitude. The IFQ halibut fishery opens at 12:00 noon March 17, 2012 and closes at
12:00 noon November 7, 2012.
Rockfish Possession and Landing Requirements (5 AAC 28.171)
A vessel or Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) interim use permit holder fishing for
groundfish or halibut must retain, weigh, and report all demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) and black rockfish
taken. The DSR assemblage includes yelloweye, quillback, canary, copper, tiger, China, and rosethorn
rockfish.
In the Northern Southeast Inside (NSEI) and Southern Southeast Inside (SSEI) Subdistricts only, a vessel
or CFEC permit holder fishing for groundfish or halibut must retain, weigh, and report all rockfish
species (excluding thornyheads) taken.
All rockfish in excess of allowable bycatch limits shall be reported as bycatch overage on an ADF&G fish
ticket. All proceeds from the sale of excess rockfish bycatch shall be surrendered to the state. Excess
rockfish retained due to full retention requirements may be kept for a person’s own use however the
pounds must be documented as overage on the fish ticket.
Federal Demersal Shelf Rockfish Landing Requirements:
Fishermen are reminded that full retention of demersal shelf rockfish is also required in federal
waters east of 140° W. longitude (Southeast Outside District). DSR taken in federal waters must be
reported on an ADF&G fish ticket and DSR in excess of bycatch allowances must be reported as bycatch
overage. DSR overage from federal waters may be retained for personal use or donated but cannot be sold
or enter commerce. Full retention regulations for DSR do not apply in federal waters of the Icy Bay
Subdistrict (IBS).
Halibut Fishery Bycatch page 2 of 3 March 8, 2012
Lingcod
Lingcod bycatch in the halibut longline fishery is allocated by management area. Lingcod management
areas include IBS, East Yakutat (EYKT) Section, Northern Southeast Outside (NSEO) Section, Central
Southeast Outside (CSEO) Section, Southern Southeast Outer Coast (SSEOC) Sector, Northern Southeast
Inside (NSEI) Subdistrict, and Southern Southeast Internal Waters (SSEIW) Sector (Figure 1). Lingcod
catches will be closely monitored, and fishermen are advised that area closures may occur on short notice
as allocations are taken. Closures will be announced by news release as well as during the United States
Coast Guard “Notice to Mariners” report and National Weather Service broadcast. For information on
lingcod bycatch status and closures, contact the Sitka Area Office at 907-747-6688 or the Groundfish
Hotline at 907-747-4882.
Groundfish Bycatch Limits for the IFQ Halibut Fishery in State Waters: Percentage indicates
amount that may be sold and is based on round weight of halibut and round weight of bycatch species.
SPECIES STATE OUTSIDE WATERS INTERNAL WATERS
0-3 MILES NSEI/SSEI
Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) 10%, full retention is required. 10%, full retention is required.
These restrictions also apply in federal waters
east of 140° W. longitude.
Black, Blue, and Dark Rockfish 15% in aggregate, 15% in aggregate,
(state and federal waters) full retention required for black rockfish only. full retention is required.
All other rockfish and 5% in aggregate. 5% in aggregate,
thornyheads full retention required for all
rockfish, except thornyheads.
Lingcod Longline fishery- Longline fishery-
(state and federal waters) 20% EYKT, NSEO, CSEO, and SSEOC, 10% NSEI,
5% IBS, 5% SSEIW,
27" minimum size limit. 27" minimum size limit.
Jig fishery- 0%, no retention. Jig fishery- 0%, no retention.
Pacific Cod 20%. 20%.
Spiny Dogfish Longline fishery- 35%. Longline fishery- 35%.
Jig fishery- 20%. Jig fishery- 20%.
Sablefish 0%, no retention. 0%, no retention.
Other Groundfish 20% in aggregate. 20% in aggregate.
For information on the halibut fishery bycatch allowances in federal waters refer to:
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/rr/tables/tabl10.pdf and http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/2012/hal2012.pdf or contact
NOAA enforcement at (907) 747-6940 (Sitka), (907) 586-7225 (Juneau), (907) 772-2285 (Petersburg), or
(907) 247-5804 (Ketchikan).
Harvest of bait by commercial permit holders in the state waters of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska:
A CFEC interim use permit holder may take groundfish in waters of Alaska, for use as bait in waters of
Alaska, in the commercial fishery for which the permit is held. A person who takes groundfish for bait
during a fishing trip and uses the bait during that trip, must report the bait taken by species and estimated
weight on the fish ticket prepared for that fishing trip. Groundfish harvested for bait shall be reported on
the fish ticket using fish ticket delivery code 92. Sablefish, lingcod, thornyhead, shortraker, rougheye,
and yelloweye rockfish may not be taken for bait or used for bait (5AAC 28.190).
Halibut Fishery Bycatch page 3 of 3 March 8, 2012
FIGURE 1. SOUTHEAST ALASKA LINGCOD MANAGEMENT AREAS.
This map is for general reference only. For detailed descriptions of Lingcod Management Area

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/pdfs/newsreleases/cf/112645604.pdf

SOUTH ALASKA PENINSULA AREA STATE-WATERS
PACIFIC COD POT GEAR SEASON OPENING
The National Weather Service (NWS) marine weather 48-hour forecast for Area 155 issued at
4:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2012 did not contain gale warnings. Therefore, the South
Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod season opening for pot vessels will open at 12:00
p.m. (NOON) on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Participants are advised that the master of each
vessel is ultimately responsible for the safety of the vessel.

ADF&G will manage the 2012 South Alaska Peninsula Area state-waters Pacific cod pot season
based on inseason reports from participating vessels. Reports will be taken daily starting at 9:00
a.m. by dispatch (7894), phone (907-486-1840), or email (mark.stichert@alaska.gov).
For more information, contact ADF&G in Kodiak at 907-486-1840.
-end

2012 KODIAK AREA STATE-WATERS PACIFIC COD
JIG GEAR SEASON OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT
EMERGENCY ORDER 4-GF-05-12
National Marine Fisheries Service has announced closure of the Central Gulf of Alaska A-season
jig gear sector effective at NOON on March 6, 2012. Therefore, the Kodiak Area state-waters
Pacific cod jig gear season will open at NOON on March 8, 2012. The 2012 state-waters jig gear
allocation is 7.845 million pounds.

Vessel operators are required to obtain an interim-use permit card for miscellaneous finfish from
the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). Vessel operators also need an exclusive
state-waters vessel registration from ADF&G before participating.

For vessels participating in the Central Gulf of Alaska parallel Pacific cod jig fishery, all Pacific
cod must be delivered prior to participating in the state-waters season. For more information,
contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Kodiak at (907) 486-1840.

FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENT
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA-E
PARALLEL PACIFIC COD FISHERY SEASON CLOSING TO JIG GEAR
STATE-WATERS PACIFIC COD FISHERY SEASON OPENING TO JIG GEAR
EMERGENCY ORDER # 2-GF–E-06-12
The Prince William Sound (PWS) Area E parallel Pacific cod season will close to fishing with jig gear
gear effective 12:00 noon March 6, 2012. This coincides with the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) closure of the Pacific cod jig sector in the federal Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) area.
Fishermen are reminded that there is a 24-hour delivery time requirement following closure of a
groundfish fishery.

Consistent with new regulations adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries the PWS state-waters
Pacific cod season will open to jig gear at 12:00 noon, March 7, 2012, and will close when the 1.45 million pound fishery guideline harvest level is reached or the opening of the parallel “B” season on June 10. The PWS state-waters Pacific cod season remains open to pot gear and will open to longline gear March 17.

Vessel area registration is exclusive for the state-waters Pacific cod season. There are gear limits of five mechanical jigging machines with no more than 30 hooks per line. Vessel registrations and buoy tags may be obtained from department offices in Homer and Cordova or by appointment from Department of Public Safety in Seward.

A vessel may only be registered to fish with a single gear type, and a vessel may not simultaneously participate in a state-waters season and any other concurrent Pacific cod season, including those
in federal waters.

Fishing Area: During a state-waters season Pacific cod may be taken in waters of the PWS Area except for those waters east of 146 15.12 W. long. (the longitude of Hook Point (5 AAC 28.267.(e),(1)) in theEastern Section of the Outside District.

FISHERY ANNOUNCEMENT
COOK INLET PARALLEL PACIFIC COD SEASON
CLOSES TO LONGLINE VESSELS LESS THAN 50 FEET IN LENGTH
EO # 2-GF-H-04-12
The parallel Pacific cod season in the Cook Inlet Management Area will close to vessels less
than 50 feet in length using longline gear effective 12:00 noon March 4, 2012. This coincides
with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) closure of the Pacific cod catcher vessel less
than 50 foot hook-and-line gear sector in the federal Central Gulf of Alaska area. The parallel
season will remain open for longline, on vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet, and jig gear
until closed by emergency order.
Fishermen are reminded that there is a 24-hour delivery time requirement following closure of a
groundfish fishery.

CLOSURE ANNOUNCED FOR THE KODIAK AREA
STATE-WATERS PACIFIC COD POT SEASON
EMERGENCY ORDER 4-GF-04-12

The Kodiak Area state-waters Pacific cod season will close for all vessels using pot gear at 6:00
p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2012. This closure is effective for all pot vessels. Inseason catch
estimates indicate the pot gear guideline harvest level (GHL) will be attained at the time of the
closure.

Fishermen are reminded that all pots must be unbaited and doors open at the time of the closure.
Pots may be legally stored in waters deeper than 25 fathoms with doors open and bait and bait
containers removed for seven days following the closure. Operators are required to be at their
unloading destination within 48 hours of the closure.

For more information, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Kodiak at (907) 486-
1840.