Sitka Sound's Section 13-B opens Thursday; Districts 1-4 stay closed

Southeast Alaska seiners get a single 15-hour opening this week: Section 13-B in Sitka Sound and contiguous waters, open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 stay closed, and so does Section 13-A, under the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Sept. 1 advisory, issued as Emergency Order 1S7226. ADF&G manages the purse seine fishery to meet salmon escapement goals while still allowing harvest, consistent with Board of Fisheries management plans; openings and closures shift district by district as biologists assess the runs.

That marks a narrowing from the previous period, when specified areas of Districts 1 through 4 and District 13 were open for a day and a half ending Aug. 31.

The Sitka Sound opening comes with restrictions. Nakwasina Sound, Katlian Bay and Katlian Bay salmon streams are restricted, and West Crawfish Inlet, Shamrock Bay and Whale Bay are closed outright after being open in the prior period. Sections 1-F, 3-A, 3-B and 3-C are also closed.

Preliminary Statistical Week 36 estimates compiled Sept. 1 show 654,510 salmon taken by 75 boats, down from 833,660 fish and 121 boats reported for Week 35.

Chinook salmon 28 inches or longer may be retained and sold; smaller Chinook may be kept but not sold, and personal-use fish must go on fish tickets at delivery.

The next seine announcement is due Friday, Sept. 4.