Salmon management in Bristol Bay

Overview

Bristol Bay Salmon History

Pre statehood Post statehood Limited entry Magnuson Stevens

HISTORICAL BRISTOL BAY

Commercial fishing

The schooner Neptune prospected for salmon on the Nushagak in 1883 and salted a large number. –Jefferson Moser 1899

Arctic packing company packed 400 cases in 1884, the first ever salmon commercially packed in Bristol Bay. (JM)

1897 4 traps were used in the Wood River. A boat was paid 2 cents per fish. (JM)

1904 the first year since commercial fishing began in 1884 that the Bristol Bay salmon pack did not exceed the previous years pack. - Howard M. Kutchin 1905.

January 1, 1908 Oscar Siraus Secretary of Commerce and Labor rules that the Wood and Nushagak Rivers be closed to all commercial fishing.

First count of Wood River sockeye escapement occurs in 1908.

1951 use of power boats allowed for first time 1954 University of Washington FRI developed tower

count protocol on Wood River. 1975 limited entry implemented.

FISH TRAP

Sailboat

Statehood

Protect salmon resources Outlaw fish traps Mandate maximum sustained yield (MSY) Area biologist management system

Escapement based management

Escapement is fish that have escaped past fishing district and been enumerated

Escapement goals are established for rivers and species

Escapement is the priority

Limited entry

1975 Bristol Bay salmon fishery becomes limited

Set gillnet and drift gillnet permits issued Permits based on historical participation Some lawsuits Interim permits Permanent permits

Magnuson Stevens Act

200 mile limit Eliminates near shore trawling

1893 1898 1903 1908 1913 1918 1923 1928 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 20080

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

Nushagak

Assignment

Read Bristol Bay Regulations Take quiz