Kodiak Alitak District split: two sections extended, five closed Friday night

Alitak Extension

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued a 48-hour extension Friday morning for the Inner and Outer Upper Station Sections of the Alitak District, keeping those grounds open through 9 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Waters remain open to the stream terminus of Olga Creek (stream #257-304). Five other Alitak sections closed Friday night at 9 p.m.:

• Cape Alitak

• Humpy-Deadman

• Alitak Bay

• Moser Bay

• Olga Bay

The Outer Ayakulik Section of the Southwest Kodiak District runs through the same Sunday deadline under a separate 72-hour extension issued Thursday. The Spiridon Bay Special Harvest Area (Telrod Cove) remains open to commercial salmon fishing until further notice.

Chinook Retention Ban

Every open section still carries the standing Chinook retention ban. Kodiak Area Management Biologist Geoff Spalinger stated it in the order: "Chinook (king) salmon 28 inches or greater in length may not be retained by purse seine gear in the commercial fishery and must be returned to the water unharmed." The restriction applies throughout the Kodiak Area, including the Mainland District, until further notice.

Contact and Updates

Seiners with questions can reach the Kodiak ADF&G office at (907) 486-1830 or the 24-hour record-a-phone at (907) 486-4559. Fishery updates broadcast daily on VHF Channel 6 at 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.