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:
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
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.
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:
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.
