State fisheries officials have opened the second period of the Prince William Sound commercial shrimp pot season through Wednesday, May 11, with gear limits remaining at a maximum of 25 shrimp pots per vessel. Hours of operation remain at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The area open to commercial fishing is Area 1. Harvesters are reminded that only 50% of the guideline harvest level may be harvested in any one statistical area and to monitor advisory announcements and the call-in reporting line for potential statistical area closures or period extensions.
The first period of the Prince William Sound commercial shrimp pot season ran from April 15 through April 25, with a guidelines harvest level of 66,900 pounds of shrimp.
The preliminary estimated harvest from fish tickets was about 35,500 pounds of whole shrimp harvested by 61 boats. Shellfish area management biologists for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Homer said the estimated effort was 17,733 pot lifts with an average catch per unit effort of two pounds of whole shrimp per pot.
Harvesters are reminded to call the reporting line at 907-226-3474 each time they depart to fish. This includes checking in again if they make a landing and go back out for another round a fishing.
Shrimp harvested by a vessel cannot be transported by another vessel participating in the fishery, except for a registered tender. Logbook pages must be filled out completely every day and submitted with corresponding fish tickets.
