A Wednesday emergency order from the Alaska Department of Fish and game closed today’s set gillnetting regular fishing period, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., due to low numbers of Kenai River king salmon.
As of July 8, Fish and Game’s DIDSON showed a cumulative late-run total of 911 kings, well below previous year sonar passage estimates and the minimum in-season management objectives established by the department.
Driftnetters will be allowed to fish their regular period on Thursday but will be restricted to Drift gillnet Area 1 and the Kenai and Kasilof Sections, which is the regular corridor; not the expanded corridor.
The department estimates that 56,000 sockeye salmon have made it into the Kenai River through July 10, below the 10-year-average on the same date of 93,000 fish.
Comments (1)
Add commentIs biology or tourist's currency ruling salmon?
If the escapement is low for the Kenai River, why is there any fishng allowed at all? If the commercial setnet is closed to allow passage of fish to the river, why is ANYONE allowed to fish for Kings with or without bait? Why is dipnetting allowed? Why not close all of the fishing until the escapement is reached?