Region 3-Interior News Release
(Released: June 30, 2005)
Contact:
Tom Taube
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 822-3309
June 30, 2005
The king salmon return to the Gulkana River this year is currently less than expected. The Department has been directed by the Board of Fisheries to manage the commercial and sport fisheries to achieve a sustainable escapement goal in the upper Copper River of 24,000 or more king salmon. Based upon Gulkana River tower counts through June 28th the escapement passing the tower is below the 2002 - 2004 average. In addition, an aerial survey on June 29th indicated few king salmon downstream of the counting tower and sport anglers and sport fishing guides are reporting few king salmon in the lower river. Therefore, to provide additional king salmon for the Gulkana River drainage spawning escapement, restriction of the king salmon sport harvest is warranted. Further action may be required dependent on run strength as the season progresses. This action does not change the Upper Copper River drainage annual limit of four (4) king salmon, but no more than one (1) king salmon can be from the Gulkana River drainage. Any king salmon recorded prior to July 2nd on the harvest portion of an Alaska sport fishing license or harvest card does not count against the one (1) king salmon that may be harvested after July 2. This emergency order restricting the annual limit goes into effect at 12:01 A.M. July 2.
