Homer Alaska - News

Topics include fishing season dates, bag and possession limits for king salmon and other species, closed waters, and cost-recovery harvest for salmon enhancement programs.

Areas affected include salt waters and associated freshwater drainages of Kachemak Bay, Kamishak Bay, Resurrection Bay, and the southern Kenai Peninsula. Several proposals also will be considered at the upper Cook Inlet Finfish meeting in February.

Proposals of interest include a proposal by the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association to allow a personal-use salmon fishery in China Poot Creek only after CIAA has met its cost recovery goals, proposals to modify king salmon seasons on the Anchor River and Deep Creek and proposals to reduce the annual limit of king salmon from five to two per year combined with Deep Creek catches.

Public testimony will be taken from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 15. Anyone intending to testify must sign up at the meeting site before 2 p.m. on Nov. 15. The board also welcomes written comments up to 10 pages on specific proposals. Comments may be submitted by fax (907-465-6094) or delivered to the board during the meeting.

Proposals will be reviewed on Nov. 16. The seven-member board deliberates proposals on Nov. 17 and 18. All portions of the meeting are open to the public. Copies of the proposals, agenda and staff comments and background reports can be obtained by calling (907) 465-6095 and can be viewed online at www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fcal.php.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.