ADFG Announces Shrimp Fishing Closures Around Sitka Area (Sections 13-B and -C)

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

SECTIONS 13-B AND 13-C SUBSISTENCE AND SPORT SHRIMP FISHERIES CLOSURE

(Sitka) – Subsistence and sport shrimp fisheries in the West Crawfish Inlet and Crawfish Inlet portion of Section 13-B will remain closed north and east of a line from 56°46.77? N lat, 135°16.83? W long to 56°41.14? N lat, 135°13.75? W long, from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, January 1, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026 (Figure 1).

The sport shrimp fishery in the Hoonah Sound portion of Section 13-C will remain closed north and west of a line from 57°35.07? N lat, 135°33.57? W long to 57°37.89? N lat, 135°28.65? W long, from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, January 1, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026 (Figure 2).

The commercial and subsistence fisheries in West Crawfish Inlet and Crawfish Inlet have been closed since January 1, 2025. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) data from both the commercial and subsistence fisheries through 2024, indicated declining spot shrimp stock health. The time for shrimp stock recovery is not well defined and varies depending on environmental conditions, stock composition, and recruitment success. Given this uncertainty, downward trend in most recent CPUE data, and lack of new data indicating improvement, the department will maintain the closure for the upcoming season. This precautionary approach will allow more time for this shrimp stock to recover.

The Section 13-C spot shrimp survey has been conducted annually by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from 1999 through 2014 and from 2017 through 2025. From 1999 to 2014 the spot shrimp population in Hoonah Sound was considered healthy and relatively stable based on survey data and commercial fishing harvests. Beginning in 2015, commercial spot shrimp harvest data indicated declining stock health. Spot shrimp surveys conducted in Hoonah Sound from 2017 to 2022 showed a decline in catch rates (lb/pot) of younger, small spot shrimp. Surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 showed a small increase in catch rates of small spot shrimp; however, results of the 2025 survey showed a decrease in catch rates of both small and large spot shrimp. While the most recent survey showing a decline in the catch rates of both small and large class shrimp does not necessitate a closure of the limited subsistence fishery, reopening the sport fishery at this time is not warranted. For information on the limited subsistence fishery in Hoonah Sound please refer to the advisory announcement issued on December 15, 2025.

Emergency Orders corresponding with this Advisory Announcement are EO 1C0526 and 1-SHR-D-01-26.