Nature & Outdoors
RSSAlaska News covers outdoor recreation, trails, parks, wildlife viewing, fishing closures, and safety in Alaska's natural areas.
Board of Fish Defers Trawl Gear Restrictions, Opts for Federal Coordination
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 7-0 to take no action on four trawl-related proposals, instead choosing to work with federal fishery managers through a Joint Protocol Committee to address habitat and bycatch concerns.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Alaska Board Rejects 25% Hatchery Production Cut After Heated Debate
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 6-1 to reject a proposal to reduce pink and chum salmon hatchery production by 25%, despite concerns about impacts on wild stocks, after extensive debate about scientific uncertainty and economic consequences.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Fish and Game sets cleanup rules for herring pound structures
Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued rules for removing herring pound structures in Prince William Sound after spawn-on-kelp harvest to prevent disease and ensure orderly fishery closure.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Wild ice skating grows from isolated hobby to organized Alaska community
A legislative lunch-and-learn session highlighted the rapid growth of wild ice skating in Alaska, from isolated individual experiences to an organized community activity attracting international media attention and supporting local manufacturing.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
Senate panel advances fishing co-op bill with electronic monitoring
The Senate Resources Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 117, which legalizes set gillnet fishing cooperatives and adds electronic monitoring authority for trawl vessels, after adopting two amendments including a five-permit cap.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Senate panel advances fishing cooperative bill with electronic monitoring
The Senate Resources Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 117, which legalizes set gillnet fishing cooperatives and adds electronic monitoring authority for trawl vessels, after adopting two amendments including a five-permit cap.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Senate panel hears setnet cooperative bill, sets aside land transfer
The Senate Resources Committee heard House Bill 117, which would allow commercial setnet fishermen to continue operating cooperatively, and Senate Bill 255, which would transfer state land to the Mat-Su Borough without surveys.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago7 min read
Senate Resources advances three bills on agriculture, evacuations, invasive species
The Senate Resources Committee moved three bills forward on April 17, covering agricultural land leases, evacuation color-coding standards, and creation of an invasive species council.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Wild ice skating draws global attention as Alaska outdoor recreation scene grows
A legislative lunch-and-learn session highlighted the rapid growth of wild ice skating in Alaska, from isolated individual experiences to an organized community activity attracting international media attention and supporting local manufacturing.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
State Opens Two-Day Geoduck Fishery in Kaigani Strait
Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened a two-day commercial geoduck fishery in Kaigani Strait for April 22-23 to harvest the remaining 7,000 pounds of quota in Subdistrict 103-30-001.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAlaska Fishermen Report Salmon Declines Amid Bycatch, Management Concerns
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readInterior hunters report early black bear harvests as spring season begins
Interior Alaska hunters are reporting early spring black bear harvests on social media as the April-May season begins, contributing to statewide annual harvests that average 2,800 to 3,250 bears and support predator management programs.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min readAlaska residents share bear and moose encounters as spring wildlife season begins
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAre You Kitten Me? Alaska’s Fish “Waste” Just Found Its Second Life
by CamilleSutherland5mo ago2 min read
Alaska Native Groups Push for Fishing Permit Reform After $7.5B Exodus
Alaska Federation of Natives presented research showing $7.5 billion in salmon earnings have left the state through non-resident permit holders since 1975, devastating rural fishing communities.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readState seeks public comment on Yukon River salmon fishing rules by April 30
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is seeking public comment by April 30 on adding traditional knowledge to Yukon River salmon management regulations.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min readHouse Faces Russian Seafood Ban, Spending Limits, and Healthcare Access Bills
The Alaska House conducted routine business and recognized notable guests including longtime sexual assault reform advocate Katie Boats.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAlaska Senate Passes Russian Seafood Import Ban Extension Resolution
The Alaska Senate unanimously approved a resolution supporting continued federal prohibition on Russian seafood imports to protect the state's fishing industry.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readWildlife refuge bill faces pushback over jet ski ban, firearm restrictions
House Resources Committee heard testimony on HB 321, which would redesignate state wildlife areas and ban personal watercraft in Kachemak Bay.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read