Fishing areas, which prohibit harvests too far offshore where the incidental catch of salmon bound for other rivers would be too high, or too close inshore where the salmon are crowded, and too vulnerable. In managing the fisheries on an in-season, day-to-day basis, Alaska’s fishery managers can open and close certain areas to fishing, in response to fish behavior, water levels, and other conditions. This allows a reasonable separation of salmon, so that each fishery targets a specific run of fish.
Fishing vessel licenses are rigidly limited by a system known as “limited entry”. This means that anyone wishing to fish for salmon must buy an existing license from another fisher, because new licenses are not issued. This allows for rational management of the fishery without undue impacts to the long-term health of the salmon stocks.
Fishing gear such as purse seines and gillnets must be constructed of multi-filament mesh, rather than the less-visible monofilament. They must float at the surface, where their catch can be observed. All nets are limited in their length, depth, and periods of operation, as are the gear and operation of troll (hook) gear. Trawl nets are not allowed for salmon. The fishing gear itself, and the way it is fished, virtually eliminates incidental catch of marine mammals or birds.
Fishing areas, which prohibit harvests too far offshore where the incidental catch of salmon bound for other rivers would be too high, or too close inshore where the salmon are crowded, and too vulnerable. In managing the fisheries on an in-season, day-to-day basis, Alaska’s fishery managers can open and close certain areas to fishing, in response to fish behavior, water levels, and other conditions. This allows a reasonable separation of salmon, so that each fishery targets a specific run of fish.
