The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports that the Upper Cook Inlet commercial smelt fishery is closing for the 2021 season at 11:59 a.m. today. According to 5 AAC 21.505, the Cook Inlet Smelt Fishery Management Plan states that smelt may only be taken under the provisions of a commissioner’s permit and no more than 200 tons of smelt may be harvested annually.
Total harvest as of May 16th indicates that the Upper Cook Inlet commercial smelt fishery will reach the 200-ton limit.
Therefore, in compliance with the smelt fishery management plan, the Department of Fish and Game reports that the commercial smelt fishery will be closed for the 2021 season.
