The Kenai and East Forelands setions will fish for the first time this season from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Thursday, July 9.
Commercial Fishery Manager Pat Shields…
Shields: “Emergency order number 14 opens set gillnetting in the Kenai, Kasilof, and East Foreland sections of the Upper Subdistrict on Thursday, July 9, 2015, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. Based on the estimated cumulative passage of sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River through Tuesday, July 7, of approximately 200,000 fish, which is the highest estimated passage ever measured through this date. And the estimated passage of sockeye salmon into the Kenai River through July 7 of about 59,000 fish, which is the second estimate in the last ten years. Fishing with set gillnets in the entire upper subdistrict is warranted.”
The biological escapement goal (BEG) for Kasilof River sockeye salmon is 160,000–340,000 fish, while the optimal escapement goal (OEG) is 160,000–390,000 fish. This level of passage is projected to exceed of the upper end of the BEG and OEG.
