ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced it will shut down the Kenai set gillnet fishery at 11 p.m. Sunday August 7, 2011. Department officials say it's because of concerns of Kenai king salmon stocks, and a dwindling sockeye run.
"It is likely the escapement goal will not be achieved without passing the remaining Kenai River king salmon into the escapement", according to the department's press release.
If the minimum escapement goal is not met it will be the first time in history that has happened, said members of the Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA).
"This is the most iconic fish that we have in Alaska," KRSA Board Member Ricky Gease said. "It's the largest king salmon in the world, and we are not doing everything we can to put Kings into the Kenai."
