This summary provides an overview of the 2023 season, highlighting the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC) fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Public Hearing on Kuskokwim Salmon Fishing Closure
The Fisheries Management staff 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, 2023. 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.
Yukon Delta NWR Letter to FSB on Kuskokwim Coho Salmon Situation
On Tuesday, August 16, the Federal In-Season Manager at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge issued the following letter to the Federal Subsistence Board explaining Yukon Delta NWR and KRITFC’s response to the State’s management action closing subsistence fishing for coho salmon throughout the Kuskokwim River drainage.
Federal Management Action: Next Subsistence Fishing Opportunities
After consultation and consensus with KRITFC’s In-Season Managers, the Yukon Delta NWR Federal In-Season Manager announced the following subsistence fishing opportunities via emergency special action (ESA) 3-KS-05-22. Ultimately, our goal is balancing salmon conservation for future generations with our current needs for fish.
Federal Subsistence Fishing Opportunities Announced for June 2022
ADF&G 6/28 Opener Violates Federal Management
Delta Discovery: Fishing for the Future
This year, we need to fish with future generations of Kuskokwim communities in mind because the time to protect king salmon and our fishing ways of life is now. This is the mindset that the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge are bringing to Federal fisheries management this season.
KYUK: Once Again, Fishing On Lower Kuskokwim Will Be Federalized
The village of Akiak’s proposal to move federal management of the lower Kuskokwim River to earlier in the season failed to get the nod from the Federal Subsistence Board on Wednesday. With even fewer kings expected up the river this summer, the Board has assured that co-management on the lower Kuskokwim will proceed much as it has in prior years and turned down Akiak’s plan to start federal management in May.