Examining the Yentna River drainage

In a previous column, I mentioned that the Board of Fisheries would be addressing an emergency petition submitted by the Mt. Yenlo Fish and Game Advisory Committee regarding subsistence fishing for king salmon near Skwentna. I told you I would let you know the final action when I found out what it was.

The petition asked the board to revise its customary and traditional use determination for salmon in the Yentna River drainage to add king salmon to the finding, and adopt regulations allowing the harvest of king salmon in the Upper Yentna River subsistence fishery.

This whole issue arose when, quoting from the BOF Finding of Emergency document, “Current subsistence regulations include a negative customary and traditional use determination for king salmon, and a positive finding for other salmon in the Yentna River drainage in 5 AAC 01.566(a)(l)(C). In 5 AAC Ol.593(3)(C), permit holders in the Upper Yentna River subsistence salmon fishery harvest salmon by fish wheel, shall be present to attend the fish wheel at all times while the fish wheel is in operation, and must return king salmon and rainbow trout alive to the water.”

Continuing, “In March 2018, the department issued Emergency Order 2-KS-2-10-18 restricting the Deshka and Yentna rivers to catch-and-release and closing the remainder of the Susitna River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon. The Northern District commercial set gillnet fishery was also closed for the 2018 directed king salmon fishery; no commercial fishery will occur until June 25. This action was taken due to a forecast for a weak run of king salmon in 2018.”

The history lesson from the BOF document continues, “In 1998, the board adopted into regulation a positive customary and traditional use finding for salmon in the Yentna River drainage. At the same meeting, the board adopted regulations for a subsistence fishery for salmon in a portion of the Yentna River that conformed to the existing personal use fishery and prohibited the retention of king salmon. The positive customary and traditional use finding for salmon was in regulation from 1998 until 2011, when the board modified the finding to exclude king salmon. In the Yentna River drainage king salmon are harvested under sportfishing regulations…Users in this fishery have come to rely on king salmon harvest in the beginning of the summer when there are no other fish and game resources available.”

At the time the BOF first addressed this petition, no formal action was taken, and it was scheduled for the next board meeting. On May 14, 2018, the BOF adopted emergency regulations regarding this petition. The board also delegated authority to Fish and Game to make the regulations permanent after the 120-day duration of the emergency regulations had expired.

Here’s what happened at that May 14 meeting. The BOF made changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with customary and traditional uses of king salmon in the Yentna River drainage, and subsistence salmon fishing methods and means in the Upper Yentna River. These regulation changes took effect on May 22, 2018.

Here are the changes: (1) king salmon were identified as a stock customarily and traditionally used for subsistence; (2) king salmon could once again be harvested in the subsistence salmon fishery; and (3) bag and possession limits for king salmon were added to the subsistence fishery regulations.

The annual bag and possession limit for king salmon in this fish-wheel-only subsistence fishery is five salmon for the head of household and two salmon for each additional member of the household. For example, a two-member household could retain up to seven king salmon while using the community fish wheel for subsistence fishing.

This subsistence fishery is in a relatively difficult location for folks not living in the immediate area to access. As a result, the fishery has been a predominantly local subsistence fishery. I wouldn’t expect to see much change in this use pattern.

On a different note, but still speaking of king salmon, I have been told that a few kings have been harvested on the Little Susitna River. King salmon returns still seem to be slow around the Valley. Read Andy Couch’s column this week for a professional guide’s evaluation of current local fishing activities.

I have yet to wet a line this year. Between eye doctor, regular doctor, veterinary doctor and specialist referral appointments for members of my family, plus spring cleanup, I’ve managed to stay too busy to go fishing. I’m hoping next week will show a change in my status!