Section 5.04.331. Gillnet specifications and operations.

	(a)  The aggregate length of a gillnet may not exceed 100 fathoms, except that if the commissioner determines that there is a harvestable surplus of pink salmon, the commissioner may, by emergency order, close the fishing season and immediately reopen a season during which a set gillnet may not exceed  
		(1) a mesh size of four and one-half inches; and  
		(2) an aggregate length of set gillnet established in the emergency order that is not more than 200 fathoms, based on the department's ability to conduct an orderly fishery.  
	(b)  No gillnet gear may be operated in a manner to obstruct more than one-half the width of any waterway. In the intertidal zone this restriction applies at all stages of the tide.  
	(c)  In the Norton Sound District, no person may take salmon with a gillnet that has a mesh size larger than  
		(1) four and one-half inches during periods and in locations specified by emergency order;  
		(2) six inches after a date specified by an emergency order issued between July 1 and July 15.  
	(d)  In the Norton Sound District, no more than 200 fathoms of gillnet in the aggregate may be operated from a vessel.  
	(e)  Notwithstanding (c) of this section, during times when the commissioner determines it to be necessary for the conservation of chum salmon, the commissioner, by emergency order, may close the fishing season in any portion of the Norton Sound District and immediately reopen the season in that portion during which a person may not take salmon with a gillnet that has a mesh size smaller than seven and one-half inches.  

Authorities

16.05.060;16.05.251

Notes

Authority

AS 16.05.060 AS 16.05.251

History

In effect before 1982; am 4/14/82, Register 82; am 5/11/85, Register 94; am 4/2/88, Register 105; am 7/3/94, Register 130; am 4/13/2013, Register 206