Section 5.24.361. Copper River King Salmon Management Plan.

	(a)  The department shall manage the Copper River commercial, sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries to achieve a sustainable escapement goal of 24,000 or more for king salmon. For the purposes of managing these fisheries, the department shall consider the best available information regarding harvest, age composition, and escapement, including escapement information obtained from mark-recapture studies, aerial surveys, or by other means.  
	(b)  In the commercial fishery, during the statistical weeks 20 and 21, the commissioner may not open more than one 12-hour fishing period within the inside closure area of the Copper River District described in 5 AAC 24.350(1)(B).  
	(c)  In the sport fishery,  
		(1) in the upper Copper River drainage, the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is four fish;  
		(2) if the commissioner determines additional conservation measures are necessary to achieve the escapement goals, the commissioner may, by emergency order, use the following management measures in the following priority order:  
			(A) reduce the annual limit for king salmon;  
			(B) modify other methods and means not specified in this paragraph;  
			(C) designate the fishery as a catch and release fishery only;  
			(D) close specific waters to sport fishing for king salmon.  
	(d)  In the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dipnet salmon fishery,  
		(1) the annual limit for king salmon is one fish;  
		(2) if the commissioner determines that additional conservation measures are necessary to achieve the escapement goals, the commissioner may, by emergency order, close the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dipnet salmon fishery season and immediately reopen a season during which the retention of king salmon is prohibited.  
	(e)  In the Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery, if the commissioner determines that additional conservation measures are necessary to achieve the escapement goals, the commissioner may, by emergency order, close the Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery season and immediately reopen a season during which any one or a combination of the following restrictions may be implemented to reduce king salmon harvest in the Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery, in the following priority order:   
		(1) a bag limit is established for king salmon taken by fish wheel;  
		(2) the bag limit for king salmon taken by fish wheel and dip net is reduced;  
		(3) the retention of king salmon taken by fish wheel and dip net is prohibited;  
		(4) modify methods and means for fish wheels and dip nets.  

Authorities

16.05.060;16.05.251;16.05.258

Notes

Reference

5 AAC 24.332
5 AAC 24.350

Authority

AS 16.05.060 AS 16.05.251 AS 16.05.258

History

Eff. 5/24/97, Register 142; am 3/30/2000, Register 153; am 5/14/2000, Register 154; am 5/11/2003, Register 166; am 3/30/2006, Register 177; am 3/24/2012, Register 201; am 3/29/2015, Register 213