The allowable harvest of Chinook salmon covered under
provisions of the Pacific Salmon Treaty will be 439,400 fish this year, up from
176,000 fish in 2013 and 266,800 fish in 2012.
The quota was announced April 1 by state of Alaska fisheries
biologists at Sitka.
Most Chinook salmon produced in Alaska hatcheries are
harvested in addition to the annual all-gear harvest quota.
The all-gear harvest quota for Southeast Alaska is
determined every year by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Chinook technical
committee. The quota is based on the forecast of aggregate abundance of Pacific
Coast Chinook salmon stocks originating from river systems in the area subject
to management under the treaty. The actual Chinook salmon runs to a number of
river systems in 2013, especially to portions of the Columbia River, were far
in excess of the forecasted levels.
Most spring troll fisheries target Alaska hatchery produced
kings, though treaty kings are also harvested. While there is no overall
ceiling on the number of Chinook harvested in the spring fisheries, the
fisheries are managed to limit harvest of treaty Chinook, according to specific
guidelines. Since spring fisheries will be in progress through June 30,
preliminary harvest estimates for treaty Chinook in the spring fisheries will
not be determined until late June.
The summer fishery will be managed to target the harvest of
70 percent of the total summer quota in the first summer Chinook salmon opening
in July, with the remaining quota available for harvest in a second opening,
typically in August.
The decision on whether the first summer opening will be
managed in season rather than for a fixed number of days, will be announced
just prior to the July 1 opening.
The actual returns of Chinook salmon to a number of river
systems in 2013, especially to portions of the Columbia River, were far in
excess of the forecasted levels. Forecasts for large Chinook abundance from
those systems in 2014 are reflected in this year’s increased harvests quota.