Upper Copper River finfish issues before Board of Fisheries
Several dozen proposals, including some that would restrict commercial fishing in Prince William Sound and the Upper Copper River, are before the Alaska Board of Fisheries Dec. 2-7 in Valdez.
Of particular concern are proposals 43, 51, 93, 96, 114, 115 and 118, said Jerry McCune, president of Cordova District Fishermen United, which is dedicated to preserving, promoting and perpetuating commercial fisheries Area E.
Proposal 43, proposed by the Prince William Sound Charter Boat Association, would prohibit commercial bottom gear within three miles of shore in Prince William Sound between May 15 and Sept. 1.
Many fishermen longline for halibut in May, fish for salmon in June through late July, then return to fish for halibut in late July and August.
The charter boat association maintains that current commercial bottom gear use during the peak sport fishing season has caused a depletion of fish resources for sport anglers. Sport anglers and subsistence users would benefit, while commercial fishermen would be slightly inconvenienced, the proposal argues.
McCune disagrees. He said the proposal, which is opposed by CDFU and United Fishermen of Alaska, would affect about 50 commercial harvesters, about 10 percent of the fleet. “It may be all of their harvest if they can’t get out in the ocean and fish,” McCune said.
