DNR lifts moratorium on Nushagak Bay shore fishery lease applications

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is ending a moratorium on shore fishery lease applications along the east coast of Nushagak Bay. The move reopens a section of Bristol Bay shoreline to new commercial setnet site leases.

DNR published a public notice on May 27, 2026, stating that the moratorium on new shore fishery lease applications for the area north of ADL 224841 and south of ADL 221787 is being lifted. Under DNR's shore fishery leasing program, applications may be filed only between June 1 and October 15 each year.

DNR imposed the moratorium in an earlier public notice in March 2023. The agency temporarily halted new leases along this Nushagak Bay shoreline segment while it evaluated management concerns. The affected area lies within Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, and 23, Township 13 South, Range 55 West, Seward Meridian.

A shore fishery lease is not required for commercial salmon setnet fishing, but it provides legal certainty and priority of use at a staked site. The lease gives the leaseholder first priority to use a specific shore site for commercial salmon setnet fishing. This priority applies only when the leaseholder is personally fishing the site.

The full public notice is available through Alaska Online Public Notices.