Afognak River and Marine Waters Closed for Reds

From an ADFG News Release:

Effective Monday, July 2, the Afognak River drainage and adjacent salt waters closed to fishing for sockeye (red) salmon. Any sockeye salmon incidentally caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Sockeye salmon escapement in the Afognak River has been well behind the desired level throughout June. As of June 26, a total of 10,413 fish have been counted through the weir. The current weir count and average run timing information indicates that the minimum desired escapement of 20,000 sockeye salmon is not likely to be achieved by the end of the season. Sockeye salmon returns to the Afognak River have been weak in recent years and a closure is warranted in order to help rebuild local sockeye salmon stocks.

The area affected will include all fresh waters of the Afognak River drainage, as well as those salt waters of Afognak Bay inside of a line from Settlement Point (58°03.00 N lat., 152°43.70’ W long.) to Otrubistoi Point (58° 02.00’ N lat., 152° 45.50’ W long.)