AK Bristol Bay Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
II |
Estimated Number of Participants |
855 |
Target Species |
Sockeye salmon is the most abundant salmon, Chinook, chum, Coho, and pink salmon returns are also targeted |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
This fishery has not been observed by the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program. |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Beluga whale, Bristol Bay; Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific; Harbor seal, Bristol Bay; Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific; Spotted seal, Bering |
Basis for Current Classification
Based on analogy to other Category II AK set gillnet fisheries. The level of marine mammal mortality and serious injury in this fishery is assumed to be similar to those in other Category II set gillnet fisheries.
Distribution
This fishery generally operates from June 17 to the end of August or mid-September in Bristol Bay. The Bristol Bay Management Area consists of five management districts including all coastal and inland waters from Cape Newenham to Cape Menshikof. There are eight major river systems in the area, and these form the largest commercial sockeye salmon fishery in the world. Approximately 20% of the salmon catch in Bristol Bay is caught with set gillnets.
Gear Description
This fishery uses set gillnet gear with continuous soak times during the opener, but the net is dry during low tide. Fishing effort occurs during the day and night, with two or more continuous sets per day.
Salmon may only be fished commercially during periods known as openers established by the AK Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) in-season. Openers may last days or weeks. The ADFG posts weekly notices of fishing openers and announces the openers on regular radio channels. Fishing periods are often extended by emergency order during the last 24 hours of the opener.
Management
This fishery is managed by the AK Department of Fish and Game as a limited entry fishery with gear restrictions the mesh and net size, and area closures.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
II (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
888 |
Basis for Original Classification |
This fishery was categorized as a Category II based on analogy to other set gillnet fisheries. Observer coverage was inadequate to determine if serious injury and mortality levels in this fishery were greater than 1% of a marine mammal stock’s Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level, but it was assumed to be similar to marine mammal serious injury and mortality levels incidental to other AK set gillnet fisheries. Also, logbook data showed that the total mortality and serious injury of beluga whales (Bristol Bay stock) was 0.5 animals/year, or 2% of PBR. |
Past Names |
AK Bristol Bay set gillnet (until 1999). |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2015 |
|
2013 |
|
2009 |
|
2006 |
|
2001 |
|
1999 |
|
1998 |
|