Title 5 . Fish and Game

Chapter 30 . Transportation, Possession and Release of Live Fish; Aquatic Farming

Section 331. Gillnet specifications and operations

5 AAC 30.331. Gillnet specifications and operations

(a) Set gillnets with mesh size smaller than eight inches may not be deeper than 45 meshes and set gillnets with mesh size eight inches or larger may not be deeper than 35 meshes. The individual and aggregate lengths of any and all set gillnets aboard a vessel or in use by a person may not be more than one of the following in hung measure:

(1) in the Yakutat District

(A) in the waters of Yakutat Bay, Monti Bay, and Disenchantment Bay, east and north of a line from the southernmost point of Ocean Cape to Point Manby at 59ΓΈ 41.60' N. lat., 140ΓΈ 18.30' W. long., one net not to exceed 75 fathoms;

(B) Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet and Lost River, one net not to exceed 20 fathoms, except that in the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet, two nets, neither of which may exceed 20 fathoms, may be used during periods established by emergency order;

(C) Yahtze River, Yana River and Malaspina Lake Drainage, one net not to exceed 25 fathoms;

(D) in the Dangerous River, no single set gillnet may be less than 10 fathoms or more than 25 fathoms in length; no salmon interim-use or entry permit holder may operate more than 75 fathoms of set gillnet in the aggregate;

(E) Akwe River, one net not to exceed 15 fathoms;

(F) East River, one net not to exceed 20 fathoms; except that starting the first Monday in September, two nets not to exceed 20 fathoms each and an aggregate length not to exceed 40 fathoms;

(G) repealed 4/8/79;

(H) other waters of the district, including the surf line beyond the outermost bars at mean low tide, one net not to exceed 15 fathoms;

(I) in the Alsek River no set gillnet may be less than 10 fathoms or more than 25 fathoms in length;

(i) before the third Monday in July, no CFEC salmon permit holder may operate more than three set gillnets, and the aggregate length of set gillnets may not exceed 50 fathoms;

(ii) from the third Monday in July, no CFEC salmon permit holder may operate more than 75 fathoms of set gillnet in the aggregate;

(J) Sudden River, one net not to exceed 25 fathoms, except that starting the first Monday in August, two nets not to exceed 25 fathoms each and an aggregate length not to exceed 50 fathoms;

(2) in the Yakataga District

(A) Tsiu River, one net not to exceed 15 fathoms;

(B) Eight Mile River, one net not to exceed 15 fathoms;

(C) the remainder of the district, one net not to exceed 25 fathoms.

(b) Set gillnets may not obstruct more than two-thirds of any salmon migratory waterway, except in the Tsiu River, where set gillnets may not obstruct more than one-half of the waterway. In the intertidal zone this applies at all stages of the tide.

(c) A set gillnet shall be operated in substantially a straight line, except that in Disenchantment Bay and Yakutat Bay a set gillnet may have no more than 15 fathoms of its length used as a single hook.

(d) Repealed 4/15/81.

(e) The operation of each set gillnet shall be performed or assisted by the fisherman who holds the valid interim-use or entry permit card for that gear.

(f) In the Alsek River, salmon may be taken only with gillnets of six inch or smaller mesh size during seasons established by emergency order.

History: In effect before 1982; am 4/14/82, Register 82; am 5/31/85, Register 94; am 4/18/86, Register 98; am 6/25/89, Register 110; em am 7/14/89 - 8/14/89, Register 111; em am 6/4/90 - 8/14/90, Register 114; am 4/30/91, Register 118; am 3/11/2001, Register 157

Authority: AS 16.05.251