Setting maximum commercial gillnet mesh sizes and closing subsistence fishing for increased periods in the Chilkat River were among the proposals the Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game Advisory Committee reviewed on Friday.
The advisory committee met to decide which proposals to support or oppose before the Alaska Board of Fisheries meets in Sitka in January to update statewide regulations. The Board of Fisheries reviews recommendations from similar advisory groups across the state. Anyone can submit proposals.
The board failed to support Will Prisciandaro’s proposal to close subsistence fishing for salmon in the Chilkat Inlet until July 15 and in the Chilkat River from June 15 to Aug. 1. “With the low returns of Chinook salmon to the Chilkat River over the last 10 years this closure would allow for the maximum number of returning Chinook salmon to reach the spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the rivers system without having to navigate past fishing gear,” Prisciandaro wrote in his proposal.
Only two of eight members voted to support the proposal, but the Board of Fisheries will still consider it in January.
The board unanimously supported its own proposal to implement a maximum gillnet mesh size to 5-3/8 inches prior to Aug. 1 to help conserve king salmon. The smaller mesh size would allow kings a “better chance of bouncing off gillnets and reaching their spawning grounds,” the proposal says.
The advisory board unanimously opposed amending sport king salmon restrictions that would restrict bag limits based on Taku River king salmon escapement estimates. The board opposed a similar proposal that would limit commercial troll and gillnet fishing times based on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game king salmon abundance projections.
The board opposed two other proposals that would establish a “personal use salmon fishery.” Ken Kreitzer wants to establish a personal use salmon set gillnet fishery in the upper Lynn Canal.
“All summer long I watch commercial fishermen set their nets in front of my cabin and they are allowed to have personal use fish,” Kreitzer wrote. “I think I should also. All Alaskans should have the right to personal use fisheries especially someone who owns land on a very remote beach in Alaska.”
The board will meet Nov. 30 to look at proposals that would change commercial, sport and subsistence fishing regulations in the Lynn Canal.