Fleet Meetings 2026
It was great to see some of our fleet and industry partners in Anchorage on March 4 for a great evening of insights and connections!
Thank you again to our sponsors Sea Mountain Insurance, Silver Bay Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods, Leader Creek Fisheries, Alaska General Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, Northline Seafoods, and Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute for helping us make the event a success!
If you missed it or you’re not in the Anchorage area, you can find the meeting materials below (click the presentation for a link to the full version) :
Spring 2026 Economic Market Update – McKinley Research Group
McKinley Research Group has compiled preliminary data from the 2025 Bristol Bay fishing and sales seasons which indicate trends in fishery value, the value share by sector and upward price trends at ex-vessel, first wholesale, and export. The 2025 data updates charts BBRSDA has used to track market trends over the years.
Review the charts and McKinley’s helpful narrative for insight into the sockeye salmon market:
USCG Certificate of Documentation guidance during the current 2026 partial federal government shutdown
Post updated 5/1/2026 to update information as the partial government shutdown has concluded.
This update is to help Bristol Bay fishermen stay informed on Certificate of Documentation (COD) requirements, recent changes to renewal procedures, and how the 2026 Department of Homeland Security funding lapse is affecting vessel documentation services. Please review the information below so you know what to expect this season and how to stay compliant while processing delays are in place.
Federal Funding Restored April 30, 2026
The partial federal shutdown affecting the USCG operations ended April 30 and the USCG is now processing the backlog of renewals and other National Vessel Documentation Center queries. To see check the current NVDC processing status, visit : https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/4156852.
Even with funding restored, the USCG still is no longer sending COD renewal notices going forward (see below).
USCG No longer sending COD renewal notices
As of 2026, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is no longer sending Certificate of Documentation (COD) renewal notices in the mail, and vessel owners are expected to renew their COD via the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) eStorefront prior to expiration. To check your COD expiration date, you can search your vessel status at : https://cgmix.uscg.mil/psix/psixsearch.aspx. Enter your vessel name, press the search button, then click your vessel name to see the complete information.
NVDC COD guidance during lapse in federal funding
From February 14 – April 30, 2026, the partial federal shutdown halted vessel documentation services at the United States Coast Guard. CODs, including renewals and new submissions, are not currently being processed. Vessel owners should still submit renewal applications prior to expiration through the National Vessel Documentation Center eStorefront (http://www.uscg.mil/nvdc).
The USCG has confirmed with BBRSDA as of April 1, 2026 that MSIB 06-25 remains the current guidance during the lapse in DHS funding. The relevant portion states:
“Certificates of Documentation
Processing commercial vessel documentation requests including renewals cannot be accomplished without violating the Anti-Deficiency Act. Certificates of Documentation (COD) for commercial vessels will not be processed, except for those COD requests for initial issuance (such as re-flag or new construction) necessary to meet national defense requirements (e.g., vessels enrolled in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) or those vessels actively carrying Department of Defense (DoD) cargo). However, vessel owners and operators should continue to submit renewal applications to the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) prior to the expiration of the COD. In such cases, the following additional guidance is provided:
Vessels Engaged on Domestic Voyages Only (Coastwise/Fisheries)
Vessel owners and operators with a COD that expired after October 1, 2025, may continue to operate domestically on the previously issued trade endorsements provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC. Vessel owners should be prepared to present evidence, upon request, to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) or the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC), that a renewal application was submitted. There will be no written dispensation granted for U.S. flag vessels operating on domestic voyages only.
New Construction/Initial Certification (All Trade Endorsements)
In accordance with the Marine Safety Manual, Vol. II, an initial Certificate of Inspection may be completed before the COD is issued provided the NVDC has received the application for documentation. Vessel representatives should be prepared to present evidence that the application was submitted to the NVDC, upon request, from the OCMI. There will be no written dispensation granted for U.S. flag vessels operating on domestic voyages only.”
This means that carrying a printed receipt from the NVDC eStorefront showing you submitted a renewal and your expired COD on board your vessel would allow you to operate your vessel during the 2026 Bristol Bay season, even if your renewal has not yet been processed due to the DHS shutdown. For more details, click here to read the full MSIB.
Be aware of misleading websites and scams
The COD renewal fee is $26, and the fee for an initial Certificate of Documentation is $84. Be aware that third-party websites may offer to submit COD paperwork for additional fees. To avoid these services, make sure you are using the official National Vessel Documentation Center website at www.uscg.mil/nvdc, which is part of the United States Coast Guard and uses a “.mil” or “.gov” domain—not “.com.” Any extra fees charged by third-party companies are not associated with the NVDC, and these companies are not authorized to issue documentation, travel letters, or permits that allow a vessel to operate.
eStorefront Support
If you are having trouble accessing the eStorefront or submitting your renewal through the eStorefront, contact 1-800-821-7081 from 06:30 – 18:30 Eastern, Monday through Friday for technical support.
BBRSDA’s Highlights of the 2026 Bristol Bay Finfish Board of Fish Actions
The BBRSDA would like to thank our members for participating in the Board of Fisheries Bristol Bay Finfish cycle. Whether you submitted a written comment, testified at the meeting, or both, we commend you on using your voice to advocate for the Bristol Bay commercial fishery. This Board of Fish cycle, many of our members were deeply engaged and are inspired to stay engaged in the ongoing process.
Following the meeting and education materials provided to our members, we would like to summarize the actions taken by the Alaska Board of Fish regarding the specific proposals, 44, 61-65, 57, 85, 93, and 94 and provide additional educational resources for the fleet. This article is based off of the published summary of actions document.
Proposal 44: Carried as Amended
Summary of amendment language: All king salmon caught in the Nushagak District under a drift or set gillnet permit (S03T or S04T) must be retained. You may not release any king salmon, even if they look healthy. Retained king salmon may not be kept for personal use. They must either be transferred to the commercial market or donated to a registered entity, such as a food bank or a tribal/village organization that provides food distribution services in the Bristol Bay region. Consumption of king salmon aboard your vessel is prohibited.
Previously, commercial fishermen could keep king salmon caught for personal use, but were required to report any king salmon kept on the fish ticket upon delivery to the commercial market.
Proposal 61: Carried as Amended
The following chinook management plan will be in effect until the lower bound of the sustainable escapement goal of 55,000 fish is either:
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“met or exceeded in three consecutive years and is expected to be met in future years”
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Or “ is met in four out of six consecutive years and is expected to be met in future years.”
If chinook inriver run size is expected to be less than 95,000 fish, commercial drift and set net fishing will be closed until at least 9:00 am on June 28, unless either:
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The sockeye salmon sonar estimate in the Nushagak River is projected to exceed 8% of the total run based on preseason forecast and inseason assessment of run size
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Or the sockeye salmon count past the Wood River counting tower is projected to exceed 12% of the Wood River sockeye run based on preseason forecast and inseason run assessment.
The June 28th date is the same as was in the previous Chinook SOC plan, but the sockeye run triggers for the Nushagak and Wood rivers increased by 2% each.
Sport Fishing regulations changed for the Nushagak drainage (excluding the Wood River). The annual maximum bag limit for king salmon is 4 fish over 20 inches, and of which only one fish can be over 28 inches. If the king salmon run is expected to exceed 95,000, the commissioner may remove the limitation on king salmon over 28 inches, keeping the annual maximum bag limit of king salmon over 20 inches at 4 fish.
For subsistence fishing, if the expected spawning king salmon population is less than 55,000, the commissioner may close subsistence fishing.
The board took no action on proposals 62 and 63 due to the action taken on proposal 61.
Proposal 57: Carried as Amended
In the Nushagak district, any part of a drift gillnet vessel or gear cannot come in contact with any part of a setnet gillnet operation, including set gillnet, line, anchor, peg, stake, and buoys.
Minimum distances between drift and setnet operations still apply Bristol Bay-wide. See regulation 5 AAC 06.335 for details.
Proposal 85: Carried as Amended.
As previously regulated, drift gillnet vessels cannot be longer than 32 feet. However, certain attachments on the bow or stern are now allowed to extend beyond that 32-foot limit, as long as they meet specific requirements. Fishermen are advised to read the official regulation for specific definitions and descriptions of attachments listed below.
What’s allowed to stick out beyond 32 feet, and by how much:
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Anchor rollers — up to 18 inches beyond
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Cooling system parts — up to 18 inches beyond
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Exhaust tips — up to 18 inches beyond
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Safety equipment — up to 18 inches beyond
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Gillnet stern roller mounts — up to 18 inches beyond
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Trim tabs — up to 18 inches beyond
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Outdrive mounting boxes — up to 6 inches beyond
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Outdrives — up to 6 feet beyond
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Outdrive grounding guards — up to 5 feet beyond
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Outdrive guards — up to 8 feet beyond
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Fish drop-out baskets — up to 6 feet beyond
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Safety platforms — up to 36 inches beyond
The key rule for all these attachments: None of them can add extra flotation, buoyancy, storage space, or structural strength to the boat. They have to serve only their stated purpose.
Proposal 93: Carried as Amended
In the Togiak district, Kulukak Section openings will now be based on emergency orders and not exceed 96 hours.
Proposal 94: Carried
Extensions in the Togiak River Section may now exceed 48 hours.
FAILED PROPOSALS
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Proposal 64: Failed
The proposal would have opened the Wood River Special Harvest Area to harvest surplus Wood River sockeye salmon, while the broader Nushagak District would remain closed for king salmon conservation.
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Proposal 65: Failed
The proposal would have removed Wood River Special Harvest Area from Nushagak District allocation calculations and amend and adopt Nushagak District King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan to include set gillnet-specific provisions.
These regulations will be in effect for the 2026 season.
Again, this article is based off of the published summary of actions. Following the Board of Fish meeting, the adopted or amended proposals are written into the proper legal format and submitted to the Department of Law for review, then are sent to the lieutenant governor for filing before becoming effective.
Resources & Links:
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BBRSDA Member comment form
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BBRSDA Contact Information
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Southwest Regional Coordinator information:
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Natalie Romo — natalie.romo@alaska.gov
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P.O. Box 230
Dillingham, AK 99576
Phone: (907) 842-5142
Fax: (907) 842-5937
Disclaimer: The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) is providing this information for educational purposes only and as a courtesy to the fishing fleet. This does not constitute legal advice. Fishermen are strongly encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the applicable regulations directly to ensure their own compliance. BBRSDA assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or interpretation of the information provided herein.
Bristol Bay 2026 Commercial Salmon Fishing Outlook – ADFG
The Bristol Bay 2026 Commercial Salmon Fishing Outlook provides general information to fishermen, processors, and the public about the upcoming Bristol Bay salmon season.
Included is the general framework for management of each of the five major districts and the 2026 sockeye salmon forecast.
Find the document here.
BBRSDA & Alaska Air Offering Discount to BBRSDA Members
Alaska Airlines is once again offering a discount code for BBRSDA members for flights to and from Bristol Bay for the 2026 fishing season.
Over the past couple years, BBRSDA has been in discussions with Alaska Airlines to explore the possibility of arranging bulk ticket purchase discounts for our members. This approach could provide greater flexibility and deeper savings, but it’s a complex process—and the first step is assessing interest from the fleet. After success with the program last year, it is being extended to us again. Ultimately, this effort is about creating a win-win opportunity for the fleet and Alaska Airlines, helping our fishermen save more of their hard-earned money.
Alaska Airlines and BBRSDA are partnering to offer BBRSDA members 5% discount codes on flights to and from King Salmon and Dillingham this summer.
Codes apply to flights that are:
Inbound to King Salmon and Dillingham between June 6-16
Outbound from King Salmon and Dillingham between July 19-29
Codes are valid until these dates of travel or until the user cap is met but overall ticket prices do increase as the travel dates approach. For the best price book early and use the codes.
Only one code is accepted per reservation, if you would like to use a code for both your inbound and outbound flight, you will need to buy one way tickets.
To receive the codes – please email info@bbrsda.com so that your membership (BB drift permit holder) can be confirmed.
New BBRSDA Testimony Guidance (Available by Request)
BOARD OF FISH TESTIMONY
Although the deadline for on-time written testimony has passed, there are other ways to make your voice heard at the Board of Fish meetings.
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You can still provide “Record Copies” (RCs) at the meeting – the online portal will go up at the start of the meeting 1/13
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Public Testimony in person – Individuals are typically limited to 3 minutes; Advisory Committees and Regional Advisory Councils usually receive 10 minutes. To sign up you have to attend the meeting in person and go to the boards support table and fill out a blue card.
BBRSDA has developed a guide to support informed participation in the Alaska Board of Fisheries process, with a focus on proposals affecting the Nushagak District King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan.
EMAIL TO REQUEST GUIDE: info@bbrsda.com
“Why this matters now”
This matters now because the Alaska Board of Fisheries is considering Proposals 44 and 61–68 that would substantially alter the Nushagak District King Salmon Stock of Concern (SOC) Management Plan; the guide helps participants share clear, credible testimony grounded in the plan’s original intent and the reality that Chinook recovery must be evaluated over an appropriate biological timeframe.
What the BBRSDA Guide Includes
The BBRSDA guide provides practical background and structure to help participants engage effectively in the Alaska Board of Fisheries process related to the Nushagak District King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan.
Specifically, the guide includes:
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Plain-language background on how the Nushagak SOC Management Plan was developed through a multi-year, stakeholder-driven process
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Explanation of the plan’s intent, including what it was designed to do—and what it was not designed to accomplish on short biological timelines
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Summary of documented outcomes from the plan’s early years of implementation, based on available analyses
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Context for current Board of Fisheries proposals and why timing and regulatory stability matter for evaluating conservation effectiveness
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Guidance on effective testimony, including how to communicate clearly, factually, and credibly in both oral and written formats
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Key message themes to help participants stay focused and consistent
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Best practices for responding to Board questions while maintaining credibility and discipline
To request a digital copy, please email info@bbrsda.com and we will provide the guide directly.
For those in Anchorage, printed copies are available in the BBRSDA Board of Fisheries Resource Room (limited quantities): Space 7 in the Summit Hall on the lower level of the Egan Center
Call to action
👉 Email info@bbrsda.com to request the BBRSDA guide
Fleet Survey Results (Updated 1/12/25)
(Survey was open September 2025 – January 12, 2026)
IMPORTANT NOTE: BBRSDA’s Member Survey garnered 242 responses from drift permit holders representing 13.4% of all Bristol Bay drift permit holders. Based on this sample size, the results have a +/- 5.86% margin of error at the 95% confidence level.
THIS DOCUMENT contains the survey results..