Region 1-Southeast News Release
(Released: January 17, 2008)
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Denby S. Lloyd, Commissioner
DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Charles O. Swanton, Director
Contact:
Richard Chapell
Assistant Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 766-3638
January 17, 2008
CLOSURE OF SHRIMP SPORT FISHERY
IN HAINES AND SKAGWAY
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the shrimp sport fishery Lynn Canal, north of the latitude of Seduction Point (59o 04.95’ N) will be closed from January 22 through June 30, 2008 (see attached map). The closure affects all nonresident anglers fishing in Taiya Inlet, Lutak Inlet, Chilkoot Inlet, and Chilkat Inlet. In addition, Taiya Inlet and Lutak Inlet will be closed to sport fishing for shrimp through December 31, 2008. Alaska residents may continue to fish for shrimp in these areas under subsistence provisions.
Data collected by the department indicate that shrimp stocks in northern Lynn Canal are depressed. The commercial catch and catch-per-unit-effort of shrimp in this area declined steadily between 2001 and 2005. Anecdotal reports by subsistence users indicate that the shrimp stocks have not significantly rebounded. The commercial pot shrimp fishery in Lynn Canal was closed in 2006 and 2007, and will remain closed through 2008. The sport shrimp fishery was also closed in 2006 and 2007 to help stocks to rebuild. In 2008, Lynn Canal, north of Seduction Point will be closed to sport fishing for shrimp through June 2008 to protect female shrimp during the egg hatch. Taiya Inlet and Lutak Inlet will be closed to sport fishing for shrimp through December 2008 to help these stocks rebuild.
For more information about the sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest Southeast Alaska ADF&G office or visit: http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/sportf/region1/r1home.htm.
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