(SitNews) - The Ketchikan-Misty Fiords District Ranger Jeff DeFreest, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the Federal public waters that flow into District 1 to the taking of eulachon from 12:01 a.m., Friday, February 27, 2015 until 11:59 p.m., April 28, 2015 due to anticipated low eulachon returns. Any eulachon caught in this area must be immediately returned into the water unharmed. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the State managed eulachon fisheries in District 1 on the same date.

Few eulachon have returned to the Burroughs Bay area since 2005. Similar closures have been issued by the USDA Forest Service for eulachon within the Burroughs Bay area from 2005 through 2014.

The eulachon life cycle is typically a five-year period. Based on returns observed the last three years it is not likely a harvestable surplus will be present in 2015. It is anticipated that all eulachon returning to District 1 during 2015 will be needed for spawning to rebuild area eulachon populations.

The Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District, in cooperation with ADF&G, will continue to monitor returns to the District 1 systems and will provide a further update in the event that a change in the situation occurs.

Maps of District 1 are available at US Forest Service offices. Maps and additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/index.cfm

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

U.S. Forest Service
www.fs.fed.gov

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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