ADFG Announces Filleting, De-heading Of Sport-Caught Fish Prohibited In Southeast Alaska

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Filleting and De-heading of Lingcod, King and Coho Salmon, and Nonpelagic Rockfish Prohibited in Southeast Alaska Sport Fisheries

(Petersburg) – Marine boat anglers returning to ports where and when on-site ADF&G creel surveys are conducted will be prohibited from filleting, mutilating, and de-heading sport caught lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king and coho salmon at-sea. Marine boat anglers returning to any port on the road system of the communities listed below, during the times designated, may not fillet, mutilate, or de-head these fish until their vessel is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded, unless the fish have been consumed or preserved on board:

The purpose of this restriction is to maximize information obtained through ADF&G angler interview and dockside sampling programs. Southeast Alaska management plans adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries require length and sex information for lingcod, length information for nonpelagic rockfish, and identification of tagged king and coho salmon, which can only be obtained when fish are intact. On-site sampling is conducted during the fishing season at many harbors and boat launches to estimate sport fishing effort and harvest, and the contribution of hatchery stocks of king and coho salmon to regional sport fisheries.

This action does not prohibit gutting and gilling fish before returning to port. Anglers may fillet and head king and coho salmon, lingcod, and nonpelagic rockfish on board a vessel once it is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded.

Nonpelagic rockfish are defined as all rockfish which are not included in the pelagic (black, dusky, yellowtail, widow, dark and deacon rockfish) rockfish species group. A helpful flyer is available on the ADF&G website, to assist anglers with identification. For further information, contact the nearest ADF&G office or Patrick Fowler at patrick.fowler@alaska.gov.