The problem of poor Chinook salmon returns, which pretty much shut down eastside Cook Inlet setnetters in 2012, has received a lot of attention this off-season.
And the focus on the problem continues.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is now looking for a contractor to "identify differences in the migration patterns of Chinook and sockeye salmon" in the eastside setnet fishery and "determine potential alternative management strategies to reduce Chinook harvests."
The state solicitation indicates the research contract is worth $693,000.
Jump to page 23 to read the background information,
and to see a map.
The department wants the contractor to attach acoustic telemetry tags to salmon captured in Lower Cook Inlet.
"Test fishing has determined that the majority of sockeye salmon entering the Central District migrate northward near the center of Cook Inlet ... but it is not known whether Chinook salmon follow this same migratory pathway," the solicitation says.
What a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteI understand that Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) has a favorite contractor all lined up ready to bid and do the work.
Why isn't ADF&G supervising or doing this study???
I understand that KRSA didn't want the comfish staff any where near this study.
The RFP states that there is NOT a biological problem with the Kenai Chinook Salmon. This is nothing more than an effort to allocate more chinook and sockeyes away fron the Eastside setnetters
What a waste of $650,000 !!
Cook Inlet, Cook Inlet
ReplyDeleteYou've got the State
on your side
Western Alaska, Western Alaska
where the poor people live
You're being ignored
I have never heard of sport fishermen referred to as "beavers and pike". The main change in this fishery is the commercial industrialization of the sport fishery. The commercial salmon fishery and a commercial sport fishery are not compatible with each other. A commercial salmon fishery requires maximum sustained yield management and a commercial sport fishery requires too many fish in river to achieve maximum sustained yield. If the commercial sport fishery was out in the inlet in front the commercial salmon fishery the allocation issues would be mute. The problem is beavers and pike can’t and won’t fish the Inlet
ReplyDeleteScience, what science, we don't need no stinking science.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the biggest problem facing the setnetters? There are certainly many. But overall Shadura, as their representative, has got to be #1.
ReplyDeleteTo 7:54. You are spot on. Mr S. has done more to harm the ESSN fleet than has the low abundance of Chinooks. He has alienated almost every member of the Fish Board, probably some on the Council and finally the Dept. is likely getting fed up with his antics. It is truly beyond comprehension that UFA has made him their Vice President. What were they thinking? KRSA must be delighted to have Mr S. representing the set net crowd.
ReplyDeleteMr S has also alienated his own constituency. I know, because I am an ESSN. I cannot stand being in the same room with the guy, and I know dozens of other ESSN's who feel the same. He is the main reason that KPFA is so weak.
ReplyDelete