Kuskokwim Salmon
Public Hearing for 2024 Federal Salmon ...

The Fisheries 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, 2024. A public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed special action is scheduled for May 15, 2024.

Public Hearing for 2024 Federal Salmon Management Announced
Kuskokwim Salmon
2024 Annual Meeting Recap

On April 2, 3, and 4, Commissioners from 18 of our Member Tribes gathered in Anchorage for our 2024 Annual Meeting and elections. It was powerful and good to meet after the long winter, as it is every year, and to discuss how we can work together in the upcoming year to restore our salmon and our traditional ways of life.

2024 Annual Meeting Recap
Kuskokwim Salmon
Recruiting for 2024 Drone Program

We are launching a drone educational program to provide training for local Kuskokwim community members to obtain a commercial drone license for fisheries research purposes.

Recruiting for 2024 Drone Program
Kuskokwim Salmon
Victory for Subsistence Fishing Rights: US v. ...

On Friday, March 29, 2024, the Federal District Court for the District Court of Alaska took an important step forward in protecting Alaska Native and rural Alaskan subsistence rights by ruling in favor of the United States, KRITFC, and other Alaska Native subsistence rights advocates by rejecting the State of Alaska’s attack on federally-protected subsistence rights. The federal court permanently enjoined the State of Alaska from repeating its recent unlawful actions on the Kuskokwim River.

Victory for Subsistence Fishing Rights: US v. Alaska ruling
Kuskokwim Salmon
2023 NOAA Arctic Report Card Features Western ...

The collapses of Western Alaska salmon runs have been among the most consequential climate change impacts in the rapidly warming Arctic over the past two years, according to an annual report assembled by a federal agency.

2023 NOAA Arctic Report Card Features Western Alaska Salmon Crisis

king salmon

Federal Management Action: Aniak Box Rod & Reel

Federal Management Action: Aniak Box Rod & Reel

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, the Federal in-season manager at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, in consultation with KRITFC, released emergency special action 3-KS-04-22. This special action opens fishing with rod and reel in the Aniak Box Closure Area starting June 29, 2022, at 6:00 am until further notice, with a bag limit for Chinook salmon and mandatory release for chum salmon. This fishing opportunity is only for Federally qualified subsistence users.

Federal Management Action: Next Subsistence Fishing Opportunity

Federal Management Action: Next Subsistence Fishing Opportunity

On Monday, June 27, 2022, the Federal in-season manager at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge announced more salmon fishing opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users on the Kuskokwim. These decisions were made in consultation with KRITFC’s Tribal In-Season Managers.

OPINION: Western Alaska salmon numbers continue to fall — and that’s a serious threat to food security and indigenous cultures

OPINION: Western Alaska salmon numbers continue to fall — and that’s a serious threat to food security and indigenous cultures

“We can all agree that the only truly acceptable amount of bycatch is zero, and we must be continually striving toward this goal. We call on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Gov. Dunleavy, and ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang to take every possible action to reduce bycatch significantly when they meet in Sitka in June by lowering the chinook salmon caps and establishing a hard cap for chum salmon.”

Federal Subsistence Fishing Opportunities Announced for June 2022

Federal Subsistence Fishing Opportunities Announced for June 2022

On May 2, 2022, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Manager announced that the Federal government will assume management of Federal waters of the Kuskokwim beginning June 1, 2022, and pre-announced 5 set and drift gillnet opportunities for Federally qualified subsistence users.