Kenai River King Salmon - Circling the Drain

[SteelheadBum406]

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) gives her opinion regarding the potential Endangered Species Act listing by NOAA Fisheries of Alaskan Chinook/King salmon (which probably won't happen this year).

Let her and the other Alaskan Congressional members know your respectful thoughts both pro and/or con. Provide a solution to the problem because this issue isn't going away until either it gets fixed (healthy sustainable population) or there are no more Chinook/King salmon left to fish.

https://www.kcaw.org/2024/02/23/mur...salmon-a-wrongheaded-use-of-a-legitimate-law/

 

[SteelheadBum406]

More opinion.
https://www.adn.com/opinions/2024/02/21/opinion-wild-salmon-are-alaskas-real-heritage/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outl...salmon-climate-change-indigenous-communities/

Alaska Board of Fisheries Meeting Information/News
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo


Btw, does Alaska get "first dibs" at sea on wild Chinook/King salmon from the lower 48 and British Columbia? Wild Steelhead too? No?

 

[SteelheadBum406]

Yeah, I know, I'm that guy that won't STFU and let this thread die off.

I believe that as a hunter and fly fisherman, it is my duty and responsibility to be a leader in the efforts of conservation of our fish and wildlife. There are a lot of good dudes on this site, so even if you don't fish for salmon or steelhead, stand up and let your voice be heard, make a positive difference. Thank you all for reading/listening.

A lot of people and wildlife are going to be severely impacted by declining wild salmon and steelhead populations. I think the troller guys and some fishing lodge owners are looking at some bleak times ahead. Nobody wants to see anyone lose their economic lifestyle or food source, but drastic measures will occur during drastic times. Total bummer.

It seems there is a lot of finger pointing and lawsuits but no positive long-term solutions being implemented to increase wild salmon and steelhead populations. Everyone (stakeholders) is going to have to give a little to get a little in solving this problem(s).

Anyway, ABC news is now starting to report on this subject.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/king-salm...usly-affecting-orcas-local/story?id=105622426

https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/troll-fishermen-alaska-concerned-king-salmon-lawsuit-107605842

https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/craig-tribal-association-pushes-back-king-salmon-lawsuit-107605433

https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/alaskas-king-salmon-fishing-industry-caught-killer-whale-107605357

 

[diamond10x]

Figured I'd post the latest closures:

Emergency Orders & Press Releases - Sport Fish - ADF&G

Sport Fish Emergency Orders and Press Releases, Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game

www.adfg.alaska.gov

I'm not all that surprised by them but I just wonder when something will be done about the trawlers, fish numbers continue to decline but they're still able to just indiscriminately catch everything.

 

[Blake C]

I would like to see less commercial fishing on the Kenai. I personally have only ever caught 1 King. It was with dip net trolling in an ancient aluminum boat. I think I was about 12 years old. It wasn't with a rod but it was still an amazing experience.

 

[Catchfish]

I hope when you say commercial fishing, you mean the commercial guide operations. There’s been a almost complete closure of the commercial setnets for 2 years.

 

[WRO]

I hope when you say commercial fishing, you mean the commercial guide operations. There’s been a almost complete closure of the commercial setnets for 2 years.

The guides fishing kings as well have been closed. Problems been going on for over a decade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Yoteassasin]

Yeah, I know, I'm that guy that won't STFU and let this thread die off.

I believe that as a hunter and fly fisherman

That’s all I needed to see to confirm my suspicions . Well that plus the hatchery fish hate. Sure just think that the trawl fleet is killing all the salmon .. what trawl fleet is it ? Could you be more specific ?
I’m no fan of the drag phags but scapegoating one section of the problem is a bit naive

 

[AKBC]

We humans are left fighting over the scraps.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act was established in 1972.

NOAA Fisheries (a US federal agency) estimates that in 1975, sea lions, seals, and killer whales consumed 5 million Chinook salmon.

In 2015, they estimate sea lions, seals, and killer whales consumed 31.5 million individual salmon.

Recovering Marine Mammals Increase Pressure on West Coast Salmon

Recovering populations of sea lions, harbor seals, and other marine mammals on the West Coast are eating more and more Chinook salmon.

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

 

[AKBC]

Killer whales are estimated to currently consume over 2.5 million adult Chinook salmon each year. These consumption levels by killer whales now exceed the combined annual removals of Chinook salmon by commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries.

"Widespread declines in the body size of Chinook salmon over the past 50 years can be explained by intensified predation by growing populations of resident killer whales that selectively feed on large Chinook salmon."

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1910930116