Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3-25-2015 for Friday, March 20, 2015 Dillingham City Council Chambers I. Call to order Meeting called to order by Frank Woods at 9:03 AM. II. Roll call Members Present: Frank Woods Chair Dillingham Jonathan Forsling Togiak Joe Chythlook Vice Chair Dillingham Luki Akelkok Ekwok Dan Dunaway Secretary Dlg Mariano Floresta Clark's Point Jim Woolington Dlg Tom O'Connor Dlg Dennis Andrew, New Stuyahok Travis Ball Aleknagik Gayla Hoseth Dlg Alt. seated due to absences Steve Perkins Dlg Alt seated due to absences. Quorum established. Frank, Joe, and Luki??? asked to be excused for a portion of the meeting at 10 AM to briefly attend a conflicting meeting. Members Absent: Gary Cline Dlg moved away resigned Curt Armstrong Dlg Traveling excused. Glen Wysoki Koliganek weather? Louie Alakayak Manokotak Chris Carr Portage Cr., runway too soft for travel. III. Approval of Agenda not agenda presented. Jonathan moved Jim 2nd Dunaway asked to include a brief summary of the Federal Subsistence Bristol Bay RAC meeting held February 24-25 in Naknek. Added as number 4 in New Business. motion carried 12-0 IV. Previous meeting minutes: Approved by poll of members last fall. Brief discussion on confusion caused by BOF requiring Final Approved Minutes for their Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 1 of 20
meetings when current budget only allows 1 meeting per year. The telephone poll we used last fall was not to their liking. BOG may not be as rigid. We are in a "no win" situation. It appears "draft" minutes will not be acceptable in the future. This needs clarification and guidance from the Boards. It was the consensus of the AC members present to allow the chair to review and make minutes final after his review. V. Introductions: All people present introduced themselves starting with the AC members. List of User Groups Present: Subsistence fishers: Note virtually all Nushagak / Togiak drainage residents consider themselves as subsistence fishers and hunters first as well as often participating in commercial fishing, sport fishing, and guiding for fish or game. Some are trappers too. Commercial Set Net Commercial Drift Net Sport fishing / guiding Trappers ADFG Staff Tim Sands Com Fish Jason Dye Sport Fish Neil Barten Wildlife Ted Krieg Subsistence Ian Fo Sport Fish Taryn O'Connor Boards Other Agencies Andy Aderman USFWS Togiak Refuge Courtenay Carty BBNA Nat. Resources. Trooper Fred Burk about 2:00 pm Guests Chris Strub Aleknagik Robert Heyano Dlg Peter Christopher - New Stu. Peter Walcott - New Stu. Obtain complete list from Boards support Dillingham. VI. Elections for one undesignated seat. Taryn confirmed that Gary Cline had moved out of the Nushagak AC area and resigned. Nominations were opened to fill Gary's At Large - undesignated seat. Nominated: Chris Strub Susie Brito Peter Christopher - declined Gayla Hoseth Luki moved Dennis 2nd to close nominations. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 2 of 20
Discussion on process. Dennis requested to have an AC manual at future meetings. Someone produced one. Nominees were invited to speak to their candidacy. Strub and Hoseth spoke briefly, Brito was not present. Taryn handed out, collected and tallied ballots. Gayla Hoseth 16 Chris Strub 9 Susie Brito 5 Gayla was seated as a full member of the AC thereby vacating her position as an Alternate. Due to absences of other members, alternate Steve Perkins was seated as a member for this meeting. By consensus of all present Chris Strub as the second highest vote talley was elected to replace Hoseth as an Alternate. Given the number of absences at this meeting Strub was then seated as a member for this meeting. VII. Elections for officers if needed. Officers serve a 2 year term and none were expired at this time so no election was held. VIII. New business: General Discussion While votes were tallied there was a general discussion of concerns and needs: One person advocated to get rid of the gear allocations in the commercial fishery. ** Another person said next Nushagak AC meeting should plan for a 2 days and provide plenty of opportunity for public to hear and participate in preparations for the Board of Fish meeting. There was a strong consensus that the next meeting should be 2 days at a time sufficient for the comment period yet avoiding other meeting conflicts like AFN.** Commercial and Sport Fish Division staff did not make presentations to speed the meeting. They were prepared to answer questions and provide information as needed. The AC would like to have access to ADFG proposal positions/comments when the next meeting is held. There is a wish that ADFG could be ready with final comments by the next AC meeting. AC may have to work with draft ADFG comments. 1. Summary of Actions in BOG meetings this winter. Area Biologist Neil Barten gave a quick report on the changes adopted at this meeting: Significant items were: GMU 17 and 9B Caribou season will run August 1 to March 31 starting 2015-16 season. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 3 of 20
GMU 17A Moose the season "window" now includes the month of February. The cow hunt and ANTLERED bull hunt were re-authorized. Another change is the winter bull hunt will was changed from any bull to an antlered bull. And the antlerless reauthorization was adopted, so we will again have the antlerless hunt in 17A GMU 17A Moose - a proposal to reduce the area closed to aircraft access was rejected. GMU 17B Moose proposal by Nushagak AC to widen winter hunt window was not adopted due to a declining bull harvests, lack of bull/cow data, and problems getting adequate bull to cow ratios. GMU 17 Moose registration hunt. Board retained Dillingham as the single permit issue site. GMU 17 Moose - moving moose carcass proposal was rejected by the BOG. GMU 17 Bear. Nushagak AC proposal to allow sale of hides and skulls was rejected by the BOG. ADFG opposed this proposal and felt this issue would be better to be addressed on the statewide level. The AC could create a similar proposal for the statewide meeting in fall 2015. Deadline to submit is May 1 2015. Barten will consult with his supervisors on language to use. GMU 17 Beaver: Passed allowing firearms harvest but not required for human consumption for Dec 1 to April 14. From April 14 to end of season, firearm harvested beaver MUST be for human consumption. BOG also reauthorized antlerless moose hunts and the fee exemption for brown bear tags. Contact Mr. Barten for more details on this winter's Board of Game actions affecting hunting in GMU 17 and adjoining areas. Barten indicated for the upcoming statewide meeting (fall 2015) ADFG WC plans to submit 3 proposals 1) antlerless re-authorization for Unit 17A moose, 2) brown bear tag fee exemption, 3) change the bag limit for Mulchatna caribou by allowing hunters to take 2 animals of either sex, and any time during the season that they wish. RESEARCH: Barten outlined his plans to put out quite a number of caribou satellite collars, and do a photo census in July. ADFG will be going to Face Book hoping to reach more people and get better data returns. There was a short discussion on where caribou are currently. A large group is thought to be near 3 Step Mt. south of Bethel. Wolf control is in its 4th year but harvest conditions this winter have been poor. A person who helped move barges on the Nushagak River late last fall said his high vantage point allowed him to see an encouraging number of moose calves. No new moose data could be collected but hunter pressure was similar to recent years. The Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 4 of 20
population is thought to be ok though bull harvest may have declined recently. Barten is still working on a response to the AC request for ADFG to consider transplanting bison and or muskox to GMU 17. ADFG will be observing the transplant to Shageluk going on right now. Barten expressed interest in partnering with local tribal efforts to improve moose habitat. A wolf survey has been scheduled but conditions aren't good and success doubtful. 2. Development of proposals for 2016 Statewide Board of Game, if any. (Proposal Deadline May 1) GMU 17 Brown Bear. By consensus, the AC authorized a subcommittee to develop a statewide proposal designed to allow sale of brown bear hides and skulls. The AC recommends changing the language to include all GMU with "large, or liberal " bear bag limits and clearly exclude GMU's like Kodiak and Alaska Peninsula where trophy management is popular. Seek additional advice from Mr. Barten. Subcommittee to include: Frank Woods, Tom O'Connor, Jim Woolington, Dan Dunaway, Dennis Andrew (by email) to rewrite Nushagak AC proposal 54 per guidelines listed above. Other AC members welcome to join the group. Deadline May 1 2015. *** 9:45 *** Frank Woods, Joe Chythlook, Luki Akelkok depart meeting. Dunaway took the chair. Hoseth recorded minutes. 2A Federal Subsistence Hunt Proposals. Togiak Refuge Wildlife Report: The AC invited Refuge wildlife biologist Andy Aderman to discuss his data and programs. The Nushagak Peninsula federal caribou hunt is still open until the end of March. Conditions have been poor for hunters, 15 taken in the fall and only 1 this winter. More Need to be taken. Proposals to change the Federal Subsistence game regulations are due by March 25. With a soon to close proposal deadline (March 25) and some fresh ideas, the AC decided to submit proposals directly to the Federal Subsistence Board to: Align 17A moose and caribou with recent BOG changes, seek same day airborne for caribou from Jan 1 to March 31. The AC requested Aderman if he could provide wording and in the Federal Subsistence Board proposal format that could then be reviewed later in the meeting. FISHERIES 3. Development of proposals for 2015-2016 Board of Fish Meeting Cycle. (Proposal Deadline April 10) The AC requested Tim Sands Com Fish to discuss what the department plans for the coming BOF meeting. Sands: The Bristol Bay BOF meeting will be November 30-Dec 13, 2015 in Anchorage. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 5 of 20
Proposal comment deadline is November 19. ADFG Com Fish expects to submit about 10 proposals. First, the Dept is submitting proposals to get away from all physical boundary markers and going to GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude). Herring: Dept is planning a proposal to clarify the definition of a herring seine to be 630 meshes deep and keep it simple. ADFG Com Fish will alter Togiak River Management plan to an escapement goal range from a single point number and believes it will be a non-allocative proposal. Com Fish is considering submitting a proposal to adjust the Nushagak Coho management plan to the newly adopted escapement goal range policy from the previous single number goals - trying to assure its non-allocative. Sands said this process lead to a close scrutiny of the whole plan. Section C of the plan is extremely complicated and restrictive and he wonders if it could be greatly simplified but recognizes the allocative potential. No proposal has been finalized in this regard. There was little discussion in the AC at this point. The AC created a subcommittee to address this issue. Budget cuts are likely to soon eliminate the coho/ pink counting at the Portage Sonar site. Under the new escapement goal policy, the pink salmon goal is expected to be reduced significantly. The AC discussed funding concerns for ADFG management and research projects in Bristol Bay. There is great concern among the AC members for these coming management changes. A working group of all stakeholders was discussed. *** 10:57 AM*** Frank Woods, Joe Chythlook, Luki returned to the meeting and Frank resumed chair of the meeting. State and ADFG budgeting process discussed. More concerns about sufficient funding for management AND AC meetings process. Full Committee supported the AC secretary composing a letter to the Legislature and especially the House Finance Committee to stress need for sufficient funds for the Portage Cr. Sonar Program thru the coho season, to fully fund Boards Support such that Face-To-Face Advisory Committee meetings. Its too hard to do business by phone. Lack of funding puts AC's in nonwin situations of not meeting legal requirements to be officially active and other duties. sent to Frank 2-23-15 and subsequently distributed. see attached DOD A working group was formed including Tom O'Connor, Travis Ball, Frank Woods, Mariano Floresta, Dan Dunaway to address proposed changes to coho management plan, consider actions, contact stakeholders and lawmakers. Seek assistance from local ADFG. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 6 of 20
Sands, Com Fish, discussed the Escapement Goal action by the Board of Fish this winter. Now the goals are SEG's Sustainable Escapement Goals. For each district, the low ends of previous escapement goals were retained. The upper escapement levels were established at the levels recommended by the department in a 2012 report. ADFG will manage for the lower ends of the range in poor years and upper end of the range is big years. District Transfer dates are likely to be affected. Long term, expect a slightly higher harvest. Specifics on new goals can be found on the BBSRI website. Long discussion about herring and herring management including limited entry, how to promote more local participation, different ways to manage. Some areas subsidize local herring harvesters. Sands, Com Fish, this year 5 processors may buy herring, only 2 will take gillnet fish. Guessing about 22,000 +/- tons will be taken. Some concern expressed that a proposal was needed to allow herring to be bought for uses other than sac roe but that is not true. Once bought processors can use / sell as they please. There were some short discussions about clear boundaries, markers, Lat Long coordinates for Nushagak subsistence boundaries. Also about GPS usage among set netters. Discussion about the Wood River Special Harvest Area (WRSHA) management, gear regulations, get rid of it?, history of its use, frequent changes in regs, allocation. Sands was asked if eliminating the WRSHA would have changed how aggressive the main district was fished last year. Sands replied that it wouldn't have changed his management, but the fishery would have missed out on 200,000 fish that were caught in the WRSHA. An AC member suggested it was all kind of relative, the fisherman who fished up there would have caught some of those fish had they stayed out in the main district. So the benefit probably was less than 200,000 fish. Sands added he would have to manage for the Nushagak R escapement in the district which could mean the potential of stopping or slowing fishing to wait on that escapement. Sands emphasized that if the WRSHA is eliminated if the WRSHA is removed then if we need to protect Nushagak sockeye there is no longer an option to harvest salmon by fishing in the WRSHA. *** 12:00 NOON *** Break for Lunch to 1:11 PM RESUME DISCUSSIONS FOR FISH PROPOSALS SPORT FISHING The AC asked Area Biologist Jason Dye what sport angling proposals were planned by the department. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 7 of 20
Dye: only one likely to clearly define what a fly is. Likely to make a definition that would allow angling with a bare hook as there has been some enforcement confusion, especially in the Naknek / King Salmon area. Some anglers are being cited for using "minimally dressed flies" especially in association with the use of beads. A discussion of sport take of kings in the Nushagak arose. Concerns for illegal harvests, large numbers of fish flying out, insufficient enforcement on the Mulchatna and middle reaches of the Nushagak R. Camps catering to foreign anglers were of great concern. Suspicions of harvesting after close of king season. Since king anglers are required to record their harvests, why not require this information to be returned to ADFG? Just like big game harvest tickets? Given the statewide concern for kings why not try something like this? There was a discussion of the Statewide Harvest Survey of anglers, the guide reporting regulations. Someone questioned the accuracy of reporting of personal use take (home pack) out of the commercial fishery. Several AC members remain concerned for accuracy of king harvests in sport fishery. Jim Woolington, Frank Woods, and?? agree to work with Jason Dye to develop a proposal to address concerns. MOTION : Joe C moved, Luki A 2nd. Carried 11-0. To make a proposal to address better king salmon sport harvest reporting for all of Bristol Bay by creating a sport harvest report card that will be returned to ADFG after the close of the season. Rod and reel / hook and line subsistence discussed. Exists in the Kuskokwim but would make harvest reporting and sport angling enforcement very difficult. Would be open to all Alaskan residents when we are concerned about the harvest of kings. No action taken. RESUME COMMERICAL FISHING AND PROPOSAL DISCUSSIONS 2:05 PM Wood River Special Harvest Area: Another discussion of the problems and merits of the WRSHA. Sands again said that if the Nushagak River sockeye escapement falls below goals, NO one will fish anywhere if there is no WRSHA. Some fishermen felt the 4 3/4 mesh nets answer some of the problems out in the district that the WRSHA was designed to address. Some feel the WRSHA provides an extra "safety valve" for low or extremely high runs. Some feel the use of the WRSHA has hurt the Ekuk processor and Igushik Beach fishermen. WRSHA was used in 2002, 2010, 2012 to protect Nushagak sockeye and in 2014 to help sop up fish surplus to escapement needs. It was first formed to address needs in the Nushagak Coho Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 8 of 20
Management Plan and to provide for harvest of late sockeye bound for the Wood River. Also to address the once popular issue of "foregone harvest". One suggestion was to not eliminate it but add more specific language as to how and when to use it; spell out actions to take in the normal district before using the WRSHA. Some feel the WRSHA is never a "fair" fishery and only a few benefit. Last year some processors didn't like the fish coming from the WRSHA and quit buying them - too small. MOTION: Tom O Moved, Luki 2nd Carried 8 Yes, 2 No, 1 Abstain. Tom O moved to have the AC submit a proposal to eliminate the WRSHA. Roll call vote: Dennis A -Y Jon F -Y Dan D -N Frank W -Y Gayla H -Y Tom O -Y Steve P. -Abstain Travis B -Y Joe C -Y Jim W. -N BREAK 3:04 to 3:12 Sands Com Fish was asked about reporting of personal use of commercially caught sockeye salmon. While its not required, some fishermen do report but Sands didn't have the information at hand but could look it up. There was a discussion on why a lot of Nushagak openers are on ebbing tides. Sands believes it reduces the line fishery problems, fish may be better quality, many fishermen have learned how to fish the ebb, and he has gotten positive comments. FWP agreed the ebb fishery significantly reduces line violations and citations. Sands mentioned that not allowing openings on the ebb might result in less fishing time. Jon Forsling, Togiak representative requested the Nushagak AC write and submit a proposal to change regulations for the Togiak "super exclusive" district registration process. He would like to require vessels as well as the CFEC permit to be registered to a district. Currently some fishermen will fish in another district but then put aboard a new and previously unregistered permit holder who then registers for the Togiak district. There is no transfer restriction on the vessel. Often this system is used by owners of larger boats that compete against the local Togiak fleet. There was an extensive discussion of the merits of the Nushagak AC vs Togiak AC initiating this effort. Many on Nushagak AC preferred to see Togiak AC start this effort so it would not appear that the Nushagak AC was meddling. MOTION : Jon F Moved, Gayla H 2nd Failed 1 Yes, 8 No, 1 Abstain Jon moved to submit a proposal to add the requirement of registering the vessel as well as the Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 9 of 20
permit for the Togiak District "super exclusive registration" process to help the small boat fleet in Togiak. This would prevent a vessel that has fished in any other part of Bristol Bay from fishing in Togiak before July 27. Roll call vote requested. Joe C -N Steve P -N Dennis A -N Gayla H -N Tom O -N Travis B. -N Jim W -N Dan D -N Frank W -Abstain Jon F. -Y Frank Woods is a fisherman who has used the system this proposal would affect - hence the abstention. After the vote several members spoke of supporting the concept of the motion but did not want to be "out of turn" on this item. They felt the Togiak AC should generate the proposals. Several AC member said they plan to support such a proposal if Togiak will submit it. They suggested it might be helpful to get other groups in Togiak to submit or support similar proposals. Net Issue There was a discussion on enforcement of regulations on net length and depth. FWP Burk explained the process and said while several over-length nets are found no excessively deep nets have been discovered. Burk emphasized that net checking is a significant effort and could really interfere with a legitimate fishing effort so FWP is careful to be aware of those impacts. SUBSISTENCE Ted Krieg ADFG Subsistence brought up a boundary concern for the Nushagak Beaches subsistence regulations. There appears to be a discrepancy between the regulation book and the map provided with subsistence permits. Particularly, the locations where 10 fathom nets are allowed vs 25 fathom nets. Krieg was seeking comment from the AC as to the history and intent, and what solution they would suggest. This problem was discovered after the time when ADFG staff can submit proposals. If a solution is needed Krieg was asking the AC to submit a proposal. FWP suggested in any solution possibly include the Latitude and Longitude might be included to add clarity and improve enforcement. MOTION: Joe C Moved Dand D 2nd Carried 10-0 The AC requested Mr. Krieg provide some draft language to fix what amounts to a house keeping proposal that the AC will then submit. Topic is the Dillingham beaches subsistence boundaries. 4. Report on the Bristol Bay Federal Subsistence Rural Advisory Council activities. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 10 of 20
Dunaway who sits on the BBRAC outlined their work on proposals to change the Federal system's method for identifying what communities are Rural, and how Customary and Traditional determinations are done. Further discussed was the process the USFWS is following on lands under their jurisdiction regarding BOG regulations for taking bears, bears with cubs, and wolves where they believe the regulations are to enhance game populations for human use. The National Park Service has already taken such action. There were few other proposals. As much as possible, the RAC members seek to keep Federal regulations aligned with State regulations for clarity to the general public. PROPOSALS TO SUBMIT TO THE FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE BOARD (FSB). Andy Aderman, USFWS Togiak Refuge biologist provided some draft proposal language for GMU 17 A moose to align Federal regs with the most recent State regs adopted by the BOG. He also provided draft language to align Federal Mulchatna caribou regulations with the most recent State regs adopted by the BOG. MOTION: Jim W Moved Joe C 2nd Carried 10-0 To have the Nushagak AC submit a proposal to the FSB to change seasons and bag limits of caribou in GMU 17 and 9B to mirror the changes recently adopted by the State Board of Game. See proposal: Nushagak AC Proposal to FSB A in Fed Proposals Section. MOTION: Jim W Moved Joe C 2nd Carried 10-0 To have the Nushagak AC submit a proposal to the FSB to for GMU 17A Moose: For antlered and antlerless moose under the State Registration permit hunt, align the season dates, bag limits and antlered/antlerless terms of the Federal regulations to mirror the changes recently adopted by the State Board of Game. See proposal: Nushagak AC Proposal to FSB B in Fed Proposals Section. MOTION: Jim W Moved Joe C 2nd Carried 10-0 To have the Nushagak AC submit a proposal to the FSB: For the Nushagak Peninsula caribou herd, change the open season to August 1 to March 31 and allow a bag limit of Up To 3 caribou - to be set at the discretion of the managers. See proposal: Nushagak AC Proposal to FSB C in Fed Proposals Section. MOTION: Jim W Moved Joe C 2nd Carried 10-0 To have the Nushagak AC submit a proposal to the FSB to allow same day airborne hunting of Nushagak Peninsula caribou under the terms of a Federal Subsistence hunt permit from January 1 through March 31. Hunters must be 300 feet from the plane before shooting. Supporting information: In 2015 the Nushagak Peninsula caribou herd is larger than Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 11 of 20
desired for the range available. Only 16 animals have been harvested during this winter season and current conditions are not likely to allow much more hunting. This is the second winter of very low harvest and good herd numbers. Aderman reported the bull cow ratio is very strong at about 44 bulls to 100 cows and the population is over 1,000 animals. See proposal: Nushagak AC Proposal to FSB D in Fed Proposals Section. The members of the AC directed Dan Dunaway to assure the above 4 proposals get submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board by the March 25 deadline. IX. Set date and location of next meeting. Members expressed the fall 2015 meeting of this AC should be Face-To-Face and for two days. There will be much work to do to prepare for the BOF meeting in late November and there is no substitute for working FTF. In addition, for the last two meetings the AC has dispensed with or had minimal agency reports and it will be time to get complete reports. Reminders that the proposal deadline for the BOF is April 10, Comments on proposals will be due November 19, and the Board of Fish meeting is scheduled for Nov 30 to Dec 13 in Anchorage. The chair was requested to seek a viable fall meeting date during October, avoiding conflicts with AFN, RAC an other meetings. X. Adjourned about 5:10 PM. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 12 of 20
Nushagak Advisory Committee letter to the Alaska Legislature: March 23, 2015 Nushagak Fish & Game Advisory Committee c/o Boards Support Section, ADF&G PO Box 1030 Dillingham, Alaska 99576 Alaska House of Representatives PO Box Juneau, Alaska Dear Member of the Alaska House of Representatives, On Friday, March 20, the Nushagak Fish & Game Advisory Committee voted to send you a letter of concern regarding the funding of Fish and Game salmon programs for the Nushagak and Togiak Rivers. We are very concerned that some projects are likely to be reduced or eliminated this season or in future seasons. The Nushagak River Sonar project is instrumental in managing not only the sockeye salmon fishery but is important in the management of the chinook (king ) salmon for all user groups and the coho (silver) and pink salmon fisheries. In recent years, the fall coho and pink salmon runs have increased in value to the commercial fishery. The coho run is important to the sport fishery as well. Management is based on a carefully designed management plan that depends on the sonar program. It is an important tool in assessing escapement levels and hence commercial and sport fishing opportunities. We have been told that the post July 20-22 sonar program is very likely to be cut. In the Togiak River commercial sockeye salmon fishery, Fish and Game uses as single escapement counting tower located at the outlet of Togiak Lake. It is a relatively small investment for a fishery that produces a 550,000 fish harvest per year and a total annual run of 780,000 to 850,000 sockeye salmon. The Nushagak Advisory Committee is very concerned that reduced funding for these programs ADFG will lose critical data, and essential fishery management tools that are in turn likely to result in significant economic losses to the fishery and nearby communities. We are well aware of the severe budget situation in the state but we respectfully request you preserve funding for these important, renewable and revenue generating fisheries. Sincerely, Frank Woods III, Chairman Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 13 of 20
Proposals From the Nushagak Advisory Committee submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board March 25, 2015 Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 14 of 20
NUSHAGAK AC proposal to FSB A align Fed & State caribou in GMU 9B, 17 DATE: March 20, 2015 PROPOSAL to change 2016-2018 Federal Subsistence Regulations for the Taking of Wildlife on Federal Public Lands REQUESTER'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER: Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Southwest Region Coordinator Boards Support Section, ADF&G PO Box 1030 Dillingham, AK 99576 PHONE NUMBER: (907) 842-5142 FAX NUMBER: (907) 842-5514 REGULATION AFFECTED: Federal Subsistence Regulations Booklet: Year: 2014-2016 Page: 50, 78 1. What regulation do you wish to change? Caribou Unit 9B-2 caribou; no more than 1 caribou may be Aug. 1-Mar. 15 a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. Unit 17A, all drainages west of Right Hand Point-2 Aug. 1-Mar. 15 caribou; no more than 1 caribou may be a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. Units 17A remainder and 17C remainder-selected Season may be announced drainages, a harvest limit of up to 2 caribou will be between Aug. 1-Mar. 15. determined at the time the season is announced. The harvest limit and hunt area to be announced by the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge Manager between Aug. 1-Mar.31. Units 17B and that portion of 17C east of the Wood Aug. 1-Mar. 15 River and Wood River Lakes-2 caribou; no more than 1 caribou may be a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. 2. How should the new regulation read? Caribou Unit 9B-2 caribou by State registration permit; no Aug. 1-Mar. 31 more than 1 caribou may be a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. Unit 17A, all drainages west of Right Hand Point-2 Aug. 1-Mar. 31 caribou by State registration permit; no more than 1 caribou may be a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. Units 17A remainder and 17C remainder-selected Season may be announced by the Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 15 of 20
drainages, a harvest limit of up to 2 caribou by State between Aug. 1-Mar. 31. registration permit will be determined at the time the season is announced. The harvest limit and hunt area to be announced by the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge Manager between Aug. 1-Mar. 31. Units 17B and that portion of 17C east of the Wood Aug. 1-Mar. 31 River and Wood River Lakes-2 caribou by State registration permit; no more than 1 caribou may be a bull, and no more than 1 caribou may be taken Aug. 1-Jan. 31. 3. Why should this regulation change be made? These regulation changes should be made to be consistent with regulations recently adopted by the Alaska Board of Game. 4. What impact will this change have on wildlife populations? These changes are not anticipated to have any affects on wildlife populations. 5. How will this change affect subsistence uses? These season changes will: 1) reduce potential confusion about the correct season for Mulchatna caribou in Units 9B and 17 6. How will this change affect other uses? These changes are not anticipated to have any affects on other uses. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 16 of 20
NUSHAGAK AC proposal to FSB B winter moose in 17A align Fed & State PROPOSAL to change 2016-2018 Federal Subsistence Regulations for the Taking of Wildlife on Federal Public Lands DATE: March 20, 2015 REQUESTER'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER: Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Southwest Region Coordinator Boards Support Section, ADF&G PO Box 1030 Dillingham, AK 99576 PHONE NUMBER: (907) 842-5142 FAX NUMBER: (907) 842-5514 REGULATION AFFECTED: Federal Subsistence Regulations Booklet: Year: 2014-2016 Page: 79 1. What regulation do you wish to change? Moose, Unit 17A - up to 2 moose by State registration permit. Up to a 31-day season may be announced between Dec. 1-Jan. 31. 2. How should the new regulation read? Moose, Unit 17A up to 2 moose (one antlered bull and one antlerless)by State registration permit. Up to a 31-day season may be announced between Dec. 1-end of Feb. 3. Why should this regulation change be made? This regulation change should be made to align with the State window. 4. What impact will this change have on wildlife populations? This change is intended to slightly reduce the Unit 17A moose population to keep it in a healthy and productive state and to prevent over-browsing of the habitat. 5. How will this change affect subsistence uses? This change will allow subsistence moose hunters a longer window (28 days) in which a 31-day season could occur to hunt in Unit 17A. 6. How will this change affect other uses? This change is not anticipated to have any affects on other uses. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 17 of 20
Nushagak ADFG AC Proposal to FSB C DATE: 3/20/2015 PROPOSAL TO CHANGE 2016-2018 FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE REGULATIONS REQUESTER'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER: Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Southwest Region Coordinator Boards Support Section, ADF&G PO Box 1030 Dillingham, AK 99576 PHONE NUMBER: (907) 842-5142 FAX NUMBER: (907) 842-5514 REGULATION AFFECTED: Federal Subsistence Regulations Booklet: Year: 2014-2016 Page: 78 1. What regulation do you want changed? Caribou Unit 17(A) and (C) - That portion of 17(A) and (C) consisting of the Nushagak Peninsula south of the Igushik River, Tuklung River and Tuklung Hills, west to Tvativak Bay Aug. 1 Sept. 30 Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 and Up to 2 caribou by Federal registration permit (FC1702). Federal public lands are closed to the taking of caribou except by the residents of Togiak, Twin Hills, Manokotak, Aleknagik, Dillingham, Clark's Point, Ekuk. 2. How would you like to see the regulation changed? Caribou Unit 17(A) and (C) - That portion of 17(A) and (C) consisting of the Nushagak Peninsula south of the Igushik River, Tuklung River and Tuklung Hills, west to Tvativak Bay Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 except Up to 3 caribou by Federal registration permit (FC1702). Public lands are closed to the taking of caribou by the residents of Togiak, Twin Hills, Manokotak, Aleknagik, Dillingham, Clark's Point, and Ekuk. 3. Why should this regulation be changed? This regulation should be changed because: 1) a healthy and viable caribou population with a harvestable surplus exists on the Nushagak Peninsula; 2) the harvest of only 102 caribou last season (2013-2014) was well below the harvest objective of 179 caribou; 3) hunters have harvested only 16 caribou from a harvest objective of 268 with only 10 days left in the 2014-2015season. 4. How will this change affect wildlife populations? Expanding the current harvest limit of up to 2 caribou to up to 3 caribou would help slow the growth of caribou herd, provided adequate travel conditions exist. 5. How will this change affect subsistence users? Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 18 of 20
Subsistence users with a customary and traditional use determination for caribou on the Nushagak Peninsula would be provided a greater opportunity (up to 3 caribou and 61 more days) to harvest caribou. 6. Additional information to support your proposal: Poor travel conditions the last 2 winters deterred many permit holders from hunting the Nushagak Peninsula for caribou. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 19 of 20
NUSHAGAK AC proposal to FSB D same day airborne Nush Pen. caribou. DATE: 03/20/2015 PROPOSAL TO CHANGE 2016-2018 FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE REGULATIONS REQUESTER'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER: Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Southwest Region Coordinator Boards Support Section, ADF&G PO Box 1030 Dillingham, AK 99576 PHONE NUMBER: (907) 842-5142 FAX NUMBER: (907) 842-5514 REGULATION AFFECTED: Federal Subsistence Regulations Booklet: Year: 2014-2016 Page: 16 1. What regulation do you want changed? Take or assist in the taking of an ungulate, bear, wolf, wolverine, or other furbearer before 3:00 a.m. following the day in which airborne travel occurred (except for flights in regularly scheduled commercial aircraft). This restriction does not apply to subsistence taking of taking of deer (except within NPS areas), the setting of snares or traps, or the removal of furbearers from traps or snares. 2. How would you like to see the regulation changed? Take or assist in the taking of an ungulate, bear, wolf, wolverine, or other furbearer before 3:00 a.m. following the day in which airborne travel occurred (except for flights in regularly scheduled commercial aircraft). This restriction does not apply to subsistence taking of caribou on the Nushagak Peninsula (a portion of Units 17A and 17C) during Jan. 1-Mar. 31, provided the hunter is 300 feet from the airplane, or to subsistence taking of deer (except within NPS areas), the setting of snares or traps, or the removal of furbearers from traps or snares. 3. Why should this regulation be changed? This regulation should be changed because: 1) aircraft have been traditionally used to access subsistence resources in the Bristol Bay Region. 2) the harvest of only 102 caribou last season (2013-2014) was well below the harvest objective of 179 caribou; 3) hunters have harvested only 16 caribou from a harvest objective of 268 with only 10 days left in the 2014-2015season. 4. How will this change affect wildlife populations? Allowing hunting on the same day a hunter has flown would not affect the caribou herd as the harvest is controlled by the number of permits issued. 5. How will this change affect subsistence users? Subsistence users with a customary and traditional use determination for caribou on the Nushagak Peninsula would be provided a greater opportunity to harvest caribou. 6. Additional information to support your proposal: Poor travel conditions the last 2 winters deterred many permit holders from hunting the Nushagak Peninsula for caribou. Nushagak Advisory Committee FINAL minutes for March 20, 2015 page 20 of 20