Alaskans with Personal Use Salmon Fishery Permits on the Upper Cook Inlet will now be required to report their participation and harvest online with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, according to a press release from the agency.

Personal use fishing is only open to Alaska residents who have valid resident sport fishing licenses. Alaskans with these permits are not allowed by law to buy, sell, trade or barter any of the fish.

The online harvest reporting is required of Alaskans with a personal use permit for the Upper Cook Inlet regardless of if they obtained the license with Fish and Game or through a third-party vendor. Reporting is also required for both dipnetters and non-dipnetters alike.

To submit a report through the online portal, enter the name, permit number and select the correct personal use permit under the Southcentral subheading. Permits without the number can also be found on the page by clicking the “search permit” tab.

The release stated that reporting by mail or hand delivery is no longer suitable. Harvest and participation reporting must be done online by no later than August 15, 2021.

Starting in the 2022 fishing season, failure to report participation and harvest online for Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Permits by the deadline will result in the loss of personal use fishing privileges for the 2023 season.

Fish and Game encourages Alaskans with personal use permits to be sure to provide an accurate email when obtaining the license, so the agency can send out a reminder to report participation and harvest online at the end of the season.

For additional information about online harvest reporting, the Soldotna Fish and Game office can be reached at 907-262-9368.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.