Numerous Dip Net Regulation Changes Proposed to Board of Fish

Wild salmon by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

By Allison Sayer

Of the seventy-nine regulation changes proposed for Prince William Sound and the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Rivers, sixteen apply to the Copper River personal use fishery. 

The Board of Fisheries (BOF) will meet in Cordova from November 30 to December 6 to discuss proposed changes to Prince William Sound/Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Rivers finfish and shellfish (except shrimp) regulations. Any individual or organization may submit a proposed change. If approved, that change will become state law. 

The public may testify in person at the meeting or submit comments. Public comments to be delivered prior to the BOF meeting are due November 15. “Late” comments can be submitted after that date and will be posted at the meeting. 

The Copper Basin Advisory Committee (AC) met on October 25 to discuss their recommendations on the current proposals. The AC’s votes are not binding, but can influence the BOF’s decisions. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website, “The purpose of advisory committees is to provide a local forum for the collection and expression of opinions and recommendations on matters related to the management of fish and wildlife resources.” 

Voting board members present at the Copper Basin AC meeting were: Alysia Hancock, chair, representing Copper Center; Mercedes Starr Knighten, secretary, representing Glennallen; David Bruss, representing Chitina; Christopher Gene, representing Gakona/Gulkana; Jim Odden, representing Lake Louise; Don Horrell, representing Tazlina; James Horrell, representing Tazlina; and Kirk Wilson, in an undesignated seat. Dave Sarafin, representing Tazlina on the committee, recused himself from all votes due to his role as the fisheries biologist for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. There is one vacant undesignated seat, and the Kenny Lake seat is also vacant. 

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game also reviews Board of Fisheries proposals and submits staff recommendations. Department recommendations are neutral on all “allocation” questions, and on all proposals that do not specifically impact ADF&G management objectives. 

Proposal 6, submitted by Karen Linnell, would require in-season reporting of daily harvest or unsuccessful fishing for both sport or personal use fishing within three days. The AC voted 5-3 to oppose the proposal, with one recusal. ADF&G also opposes the proposal.

Proposal 7, proposed by Shawn Gillman, would prohibit guides or transport services from charging a fee for guiding, transporting, or dropping off subsistence fishers. The AC voted 5-3 to oppose the proposal, with one recusal. ADF&G is neutral.

Proposal 8, proposed by Kirk Wilson, would prohibit dipnetting “in the confluence 500 yards below and 100 yards above any river or stream in the upper Copper River.” The AC approved a suggestion to modify the proposal to apply only to confluences with the Tonsina, Klutina, Gulkana, Gakona, and Tazlina Rivers. As modified, this proposal received a recommendation from the AC for support, with five in favor, three opposed, and one recusal. ADF&G opposes the proposal. 

Proposals 9-13 all relate to dipnetting from boats. Proposal 9 would prohibit dipnetting from a boat in the Glennallen subdistrict upstream from the bridge in Chitina.  It was proposed by the Copper Basin AC. Proposal 10 prohibits dipnetting from a boat anywhere in the Upper Copper River District, and was proposed by Ahtna Tene Nene’ (At press time, I was not clear on exactly which specific people or groups within the Ahtna people this referred to.) 

Proposal 11, proposed by Nicole Farnham, would require any boats fishers are dipnetting from to be tied off to a stationary object. Proposal 12, also proposed by Nicole Farnham, would prohibit dipnetting from a boat within 50 feet of someone dipnetting from shore. Proposal 13, proposed by Faye Ewan, would prohibit dipnetting from a boat within 75 feet of a fish wheel. 

The AC voted in support of Proposal 9, 5-3, with one recusal. The AC took no action on Proposal 10, stating it would be “happy with Proposal 9.” ADF&G is neutral on Proposals 9 and 10.

The AC took no action on boat-related proposals 11-13. In the discussion of Proposal 13, it became clear it would be difficult to measure distances between boats and points on shore for enforcement purposes, especially given boats’ mobility. 

ADF&G opposes Proposal 11. The department opposes Proposal 12, and is neutral on Proposal 13.  

Proposals 14, proposed by Kirk Wilson, and 15, proposed by the Copper Basin AC, would both prohibit the use of monofilament, or “gillnet” material in dipnets on the Copper River. Proposal 14 would prohibit its use prior to August 15, while Proposal 15 would prohibit its use altogether. The AC voted to oppose the proposals 6-2, with one recusal. ADF&G also opposes the proposals. 

Proposal 16, proposed by Kirk Wilson, the Copper Basin AC, and Karen Linnell, would prohibit the use of depth or fish finders on boats in the Upper Copper River District while participating in the personal use dip net fishery. This proposal was supported by the Copper Basin AC, with a 7-1 vote and one recusal. ADF&G opposes this proposal. 

Proposal 17, proposed by Faye Ewan, would require the “standard” dipnet permit to be for shore-based dipnetting. Users would be required to obtain a special supplemental permit for dipnetting from a boat with an annual limit of 30 fish for a household of one, 60 for a household of two or more, with no more than five king salmon. The AC voted 5-3 in opposition to this proposal, with one recusal. ADF&G is neutral on this proposal. 

Proposal 18, proposed by the Chitina Dipnetters Association and Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee, would increase the size of the Chitina Subdistrict by extending the lower boundary approximately a half mile downstream. The Copper Basin AC opposed this proposal 7-1, with one recusal. ADF&G is neutral. 

Proposal 19, proposed by Cordova District Fishermen United, would “reduce the maximum harvest level in the Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Fishery when the Copper River commercial fishery harvest is 50 percent below the 10-year average on June 1.” The AC voted in support of this proposal 5-3, with one recusal. ADF&G is neutral.

Proposal 20, proposed by Kirk Wilson, would reduce the annual limit for personal use salmon fishing permits to 15 for a single person and 30 for a household of more than one in the Chitina Subdistrict. Proposal 20 also would allow for supplemental permits for 10 additional sockeye to be made available if “ADF&G determines that a weekly harvestable surplus of 50,000 salmon or greater will be present in the Chitina Subdistrict.” The AC voted 7-1 to support this proposal with one recusal. ADF&G is neutral on this proposal. 

Finally, Proposal 21, proposed by the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee, would change the first day of the personal use season from June 7 to June 1. The Copper Basin AC unanimously voted to oppose this proposal. ADF&G is neutral. 

The complete list of proposals for the upcoming Board of Fish meeting, including Prince William Sound proposals and proposed changes to sport and commercial regulations, can be found here.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff comments and additional supplemental information are available here. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo&date=11-30-2021&meeting=cordova