The Nushagak’s commercial fishing district in Bristol Bay has one of the most prolific sockeye salmon runs in the world. But king salmon runs have dwindled. The local advisory committee is still deciding how to address the declines, and time is running out.
The Nushagak’s commercial fishing district in Bristol Bay has one of the most prolific sockeye salmon runs in the world. But king salmon runs have dwindled. The local advisory committee is still deciding how to address the declines, and time is running out.
The department says several of its recommendations could protect kings but that fishermen would lose out economically. It also says some actions could push fishermen into other districts in the fishery.
The Nushagak River’s king run on the west side of the fishery has been low for years, even as sockeye runs have hit record highs. The board's stock of concern designation for Nushagak kings could mean significant shifts in the fishery.