Title 5 . Fish and Game

Chapter 33 . Transportation, Possession and Release of Live Fish; Aquatic Farming

Section 331. Gillnet specifications and operation

5 AAC 33.331. Gillnet specifications and operation

(a) A person may not operate a gillnet vessel that has on the reel or in the water more than one legal limit of gillnet gear. Extra gillnet gear may be on board the vessel. Any gear in excess of one legal limit must be sacked or bagged. The sack or bag must totally contain the net and must be secured closed. However, unassembled gillnet gear components, including cork, webbing, or leadline may be on board a fishing vessel without being sacked or bagged. For the purposes of this section, the legal limit of gillnet gear is one gillnet no longer than the maximum length specified in (c) of this section.

(b) The maximum depth of gillnets is as follows:

(1) in the Southeastern Alaska Area, a drift gillnet may not be deeper than 60 meshes;

(2) repealed 7/26/2003;

(3) repealed 7/26/2003;

(4) there is no maximum depth restriction for a gillnet operated for king salmon cost recovery by a private nonprofit hatchery operator or under contract to a regional aquaculture association in a special harvest area described in 5 AAC 40.030 - 5 AAC 40.045.

(c) The maximum length of gillnets is as follows:

(1) in District 1, a gillnet may not be more than 200 fathoms in length;

(2) in District 6, a gillnet may not be more than 300 fathoms in length, except that a gillnet may not exceed 75 fathoms in length in Wrangell Narrows during seasons established by emergency order;

(3) in District 8, a gillnet may not be more than 300 fathoms in length, except that a gillnet may not exceed 150 fathoms in length in Blind Slough during seasons established by emergency order;

(4) in District 11, a gillnet may not be more than 200 fathoms in length;

(5) in District 15, a gillnet may not be more than 200 fathoms in length.

(d) The maximum gillnet mesh sizes are as follows:

(1) in District 8, from the second Sunday in June through July 18, six inches, except during periods established by emergency order for Blind Slough for the harvest of king salmon when no maximum mesh size will apply;

(2) in District 11, through the fourth Saturday in June, six inches, except that from May 1 through the third Sunday in June, during fishing periods established by emergency order, the maximum gillnet mesh size is 7.5 inches;

(3) in District 15, through the fourth Saturday in June, six inches.

(e) In Districts 1, 6, 8, 11, and 15, during periods established by emergency order, the minimum gillnet mesh size is six inches.

(f) In the Southeastern Alaska Area, gillnet mesh size is measured by averaging the length of five consecutive meshes measured from inside the first knot and including the last knot when wet. The five meshes being measured must be an integral part of the net, as hung, and measured perpendicular to the selvages. Measurements must be made by means of a metal tape measure while the five meshes are suspended vertically from a single peg or nail, under a one-pound weight.

(g) Repealed 5/31/85.

(h) Repealed 5/31/85.

(i) Repealed 4/2/88.

History: In effect before 1982; am 7/25/82, Register 83; am 4/28/84, Register 90; am 5/31/85, Register 94; am 4/18/86, Register 98; am 6/10/87, Register 102; am 4/2/88, Register 105; am 6/25/89, Register 110; am 4/30/91, Register 118; am 4/23/94, Register 130; am 6/28/97, Register 142; am 6/14/2000, Register 154; am 7/26/2003, Register 167; em am 4/13/2005 - 8/10/2005, Register 174

Authority: AS 16.05.060

AS 16.05.251