Setnetters will fish in the Kenai, Kasilof, and East Foreland sections on Thursday, July 23 from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Drifters will be open in the expanded Kenai, expanded Kasilof, and Anchor Point sections from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Commercial Fisheries Biologist Pat Shields…
The estimated cumulative passage of sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River through Tuesday, July 21, was approximately 327,000 fish. 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.
According to 5AAC 21.353 Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan, from July 16 through July 31, at run strengths of 2,300,000–4,600,000 sockeye salmon to the Kenai River, one regular 12-hour fishing period per week will be restricted to one or more of the following sections: 1) Expanded Kenai Section of the Upper Subdistrict; 2) Expanded Kasilof Section of the Upper Subdistrict; 3) Anchor Point Section of the Lower Subdistrict; and 4) Drift Gillnet Area 1.
Drifting was open in Drift Area 1 on Monday, July 20, therefore, opening drift gillnetting as described in
this announcement is in compliance with the Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan.
The sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kenai River through Tuesday, July 21, was approximately 386,000 fish.
In season models based on an assessment of escapement, commercial harvest, and Offshore Test Fish data, indicate the run timing of this year’s sockeye salmon run to the Kenai River is later than average. Therefore, fishing the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery is warranted.