Districts Affected: Kuskokwim Bay
This is an announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at Bethel for commercial salmon fishermen in the Kuskokwim Area.
District 4, Quinhagak, will open to commercial salmon fishing for 12 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, and again for 12 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009.
District 5, Goodnews Bay, will open to commercial salmon fishing for 12 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, and again for 12 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009.
Preliminary verbal reports from the commercial period on July 27 in District 4 indicate a harvest of 27 Chinook, 837 sockeye, 1,868 chum, and 618 coho salmon from approximately 41 permit holders. Cumulative harvests through July 22 are 13,897 Chinook, 109,938 sockeye, 85,798 chum, and 618 coho salmon. The commercial harvests and catch rates for sockeye and chum salmon continue to be average to above average. Escapement at the Kanektok River weir through July 27 is 5,121 Chinook, 259,702 sockeye, 37,870 chum, and 28 coho salmon. Current sockeye and chum salmon abundance in District 4 warrants commercial salmon fishing on Wednesday, July 29, and again on Friday, July 31.
Preliminary verbal reports from the commercial period on July 27 in District 5 indicate a harvest of 7 Chinook, 583 sockeye, 125 chum and 28 coho salmon from approximately 14 permit holders. Cumulative harvests through July 22 are 1,471 Chinook, 25,754 sockeye, 16,071 chums, and 38 coho salmon. The commercial harvest and catch rate for sockeye and chum salmon have been average. Escapement at the Middle Fork Goodnews River weir through July 27 is 1,295 Chinook, 23,439 sockeye, and 13,569 chum salmon. Current sockeye and chum salmon abundance in District 5 warrants commercial salmon fishing on Wednesday, July 29, and again on Friday, July 31.
The Department will closely monitor harvest and catch rates from the upcoming commercial periods and will make further announcements regarding additional commercial fishing periods at that time.
For additional information or questions regarding Districts 4 and 5 area fisheries, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in the Bethel at 543-2433.
