Troopers cite two Anchorage men for fishing a closed area in Kenai

Two Anchorage men are due in Kenai District Court after Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited them Friday for allegedly fishing for personal use in a closed area in Kenai. Faafetai Pou, 38, and Simeona Taula, 57, each received a bailable citation, according to a Department of Public Safety dispatch posted Saturday.

The dispatch listed the violation as "Take Salmon Closed Area." It did not identify the exact closed area or the salmon species involved. Tok Wildlife Troopers issued the citations. The charges are accusations, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Friday was also the last day of the Kenai River personal-use dipnet season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets those dates, saying the season "begins July 10 (to minimize harvest of late-run Kenai River king salmon) and ends July 31 (to minimize harvest of Kenai River silver salmon)." King salmon fishing on the Kenai has been closed all season by emergency order. The state uses emergency orders across Alaska to adjust seasons and gear rules when king salmon returns are weak and harvest demands compete.

The citations follow other cases this month. Three Anchorage residents were cited July 25 for personal-use fishing in a closed Kenai area. Another Anchorage resident was cited July 28 for dipnet fishing during a closed period on the Kenai River.

Dippers who want to stay clear of trouble can check current closures and emergency orders through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before heading out.