Nonresidents’ Eastern Afognak and Kodiak Islands Rockfish Limits Restored
The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
(Kodiak) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restoring the nonresident bag and possession limits for rockfish to the regulatory limits of five per day, ten in possession outside Chiniak and Marmot bays effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The nonpelagic rockfish limits of two per day, four in possession of which only one per day, two in possession may be a yelloweye rockfish remain in effect, as well as, the reduced overall bag limits inside Chiniak and Marmot bays of three rockfish per day, three in possession with the same nonpelagic rockfish limits.
Nonresident participation in the rockfish fishery in the Kodiak area is expected to be significantly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions. It is unlikely that many nonresidents will be able to participate in the fishery; therefore, harvest and effort are expected to be significantly reduced. For these reasons, restoring the bag and possession limit would provide additional opportunity for those that can participate.
“The emergency order issued in March was intended to significantly reduce nonresident rockfish harvests,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “With current travel restrictions and the anticipated reduction in nonresidents traveling to the Kodiak area, it is expected that rockfish harvests by nonresidents will be significantly reduced in the 2020 season.”
ADF&G will continue to monitor harvests and biological information using saltwater guide logbooks and dockside sampling data throughout the season.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880.