AK Southeast Salmon Drift 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 |
I |
Estimated Number of Participants |
474 |
Target Species |
Salmon |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
N/A |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Dall’s porpoise, AK; Harbor porpoise, northern Southeast Alaska inland waters; Harbor porpoise, southern Southeast Alaska inland waters1; Harbor seal, Southeast, AK; Humpback whale, Hawai’i; Humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific; Pacific white-sided dolphin, central North Pacific; Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. |
Basis for Current Classification
The total annual mortality and serious injury of harbor porpoise (Southern Southeast Alaska inland waters stock) in this fishery is greater than or equal to 50% of the stock’s Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level.
Distribution
This fishery generally operates from June 18 to early October in five main fishing areas off Southeast AK, as well as at Annette Island, in terminal harvest areas (THA) adjacent to hatchery facilities, and for hatchery cost recovery. The majority of salmon are caught by drift gillnets in the five main fishing areas (81% in 2003) and the THAs (13% in 2003), with small contributions from Annette Island (4% in 2003), and for hatchery cost recovery (1.8% in 2003).
Gear Description
This fishery uses drift gillnet gear with soak times of 20 minutes to 3 hours. The gear is set during the day and night, with 6-20 sets set per day.
Management
This fishery is managed by the AK Department of Fish and Game as a limited entry fishery with gear restrictions on the mesh and net size, and area closures.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
II (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
443 |
Basis for Original Classification |
This fishery was categorized as a Category II because observer and stranding data indicated that mortality and serious injury of harbor porpoise (Southeast AK) was 3 animals/year, or 1.3% of PBR (PBR=231); and serious injury and mortality of humpback whale (Central North Pacific) was 0.13 animals/year, or 4.6% PBR (PBR=2.8). Also, Category III reports from fishermen indicated that mortalities of both species occurred prior to 1994. |
Past Names |
Southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet (until 2001) |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2024 |
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2013 |
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2009 |
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2006 |
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2001 |
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1999 |
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1998 |
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