Refuge Manager to Hold Public Hearing on Kuskokwim River Salmon Fishing Closure

Photo by  Kimberly Wilson

Public Hearing Announcement on Kuskokwim River Salmon Fishing Closure FSA-YD-25-01 Starting June 1, 2025 

Contact: Spencer Rearden | 907-543-1023 | spencer_rearden@fws.gov 

 The Refuge Manager at the at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR), in coordination with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC), proposes to close Federal public waters of the Kuskokwim River drainage to the harvest of Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon by all users starting June 1, 2025. Harvest opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users may be announced during this closure. The public is encouraged to provide comments to the Federal Manager on the proposed closure. 

A public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed special action is scheduled for: 

  • April 23, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Or until conclusion of public comments) via Teams Teleconference: 

  • Teleconference: 1-833-436-1163 

  • Conference ID: 330 446 523# 

Kuskokwim Tribes Raised Voices for Chum Salmon Bycatch Protections at Latest North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting

Kuskokwim Tribes Raised Voices for Chum Salmon Bycatch Protections at Latest North Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council held a special chum salmon bycatch, primarily to review the preliminary draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDEIS or EIS) for new approaches to chum salmon bycatch management in the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery, with a prioritization on reducing bycatch of Western Alaska chum salmon.