ADF&G reminds PWS shrimpers: harvest reports due June 22

Alaska Department of Fish and Game's June 18 Prince William Sound fishing report reminds noncommercial shrimp permit holders that the 2026 season has already closed and that harvest reports must be filed by 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 22.

Shrimp fishing in Prince William Sound closed Monday, June 8, under Emergency Order 2-SHR-6-19-26, which reduces the number of shrimp pots allowed in the Prince William Sound noncommercial (sport and subsistence) shrimp fishery to two pots per person with a maximum of two pots per vessel, and shortens the open season to May 1 through June 8. The original season had been scheduled to run through September 15; the emergency order cut that window significantly. The 2026 commercial shrimp pot fishery in Prince William Sound is also closed.

ADF&G issued the emergency order on Feb. 26, 2026, citing observed declines in shrimp population and catch-per-unit-effort data. Sport Fish Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth said at the time: "The pot limit for the 2026 season will again be two pots for all of Prince William Sound; however, the season is being reduced further."

The June 18 fishing report serves as a reminder that harvest and effort reporting is mandatory for all permit holders, whether or not they fished, and must be submitted online no later than June 22, 2026. Failure to submit the harvest report by the deadline makes a permit holder ineligible to participate in the 2027 Prince William Sound noncommercial shrimp fishery.

The June 18 report also flagged a separate emergency order affecting salmon anglers. Emergency Order 2-KS-6-15-26 reduces the bag and possession limit for king salmon to one fish in Prince William Sound Management Area salt waters, excluding the Whittier, Cordova, Valdez, and Chenega Terminal Harvest Areas, which retain a bag limit of two fish and a possession limit of four fish of any size.

Permit holders with questions can contact Blain-Roth at 907-267-2186 or [email protected], or reach the Anchorage ADF&G office at 907-267-2218.