By the Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Announcement #12
ESHAMY DISTRICT: Waters of the Main Bay Subdistrict up to a line of buoys in front of the hatchery barrier seine will open for a 24-hour period starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26. The MBH AGZ will open to DRIFT GILLNET permit holders only during the 24-hour fishing period starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
PWSAC recommends opening the Main Bay Subdistrict up to a line of buoys in front of the hatchery barrier seine. PWSAC will complete the MBH revenue goal by end of the day today, June 25, 2026.
Copies of the regulation booklet, 2025-2028 Commercial Salmon Fishing Regulations for Prince William Sound, are available in the Cordova and Anchorage ADFG office.
ALL buyers purchasing fish in the PWS Management Area are required to complete a Processor Registration Form. Contact the Cordova office for any questions regarding registration.
The next scheduled salmon fisheries announcement is anticipated to be at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 27. Announcement recordings are available for gillnet fisheries at 907-424-7535 and seine fisheries at 907-424-7345.
Additionally, announcements, inseason harvest data, and escapement data are available at the following web address: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareapws.main.
Announcement #13
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is soliciting bids from salmon processors interested in purchasing up to 600 sockeye salmon per week over a four-week period caught through test fisheries in July 2026 from the Copper River District. Processors are asked to bid the price per pound of sockeye salmon necessary to provide the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with 600 sockeye salmon for age, sex, length, and otolith sampling per week from approximately July 3-30.
Processors are also asked to bid price per pound for incidental Chinook salmon harvested. The bid will be awarded to the bidder who bids the highest price per pound, once Alaska Bidders Preference is considered. During test fishing, if the successful bidder inadvertently harvests more than the number of sockeye salmon required or incidentally harvests Chinook salmon, then the processor will pay the Department of Fish and Game for the additional pounds at the price-per-pound rate calculated from the original bid.
This is a salmon test fishing project within the Copper River District to evaluate age, sex, length, and otolith contributions of sockeye salmon. Revenues generated from the test fishery will be applied to Prince William Sound salmon stock assessment projects. The bidding process will allow bids to be submitted until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. The processor agrees to pay the State of Alaska for the fish and provide the boat, gear, and crew to harvest and process the fish. The department may provide a department employee to act as an observer during all test fishing operations. Fishing dates and schedules will be coordinated with the local ADFG Area Manager.
In order to be a responsive bidder, the Department of Fish and Game must receive from the bidder a guarantee of price per pound for targeted sockeye and incidental Chinook salmon harvest. The department will be paid for weekly test fish harvest within two weeks of the harvest date.
The proceeds from each week’s sockeye salmon harvest should be sent or delivered to, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, PO BOX 669, Cordova, AK 99574.
The intent is to pay for the salmon caught by the test fishery. Adjustments will be made post season either in the favor of the State or the successful bidder depending on the total poundage caught and the actual per pound rate from the bid.
Interested bidders must provide all of the support equipment required to catch, deliver, purchase and process the salmon, including:
1. A minimum of one gillnet vessel and a maximum of three vessels fishing simultaneously. Experienced skippers, crew, all necessary fishing gear, equipment, and fuel.
2. Tender capacity to retrieve, offload, weigh, and purchase the salmon or processing plant capacity to offload, weigh, and purchase the salmon.
3. Own and operate a processing facility that has a minimum daily capacity of 5,000 pounds of salmon.
4. Air, ground, or vessel transportation to pick up and drop off the observers.
5. Food and accommodations for the observer while they are onboard (including a marine toilet and bunk space).
Each vessel may be required to have a department observer onboard at all times they are test fishing. The department observer has the right to reject a vessel if he or she fears for their personal safety or there are any signs of alcohol or drugs aboard. General test fish locations will be specified by the department. The company must keep in contact with department staff in the Cordova office and report specifics of all tests fishing activity (vessel name, ADF&G number, time and location).
The Department is encouraging the bidders to conduct the cost recovery test fishery from Pete Dahl Channel to the eastern edge of the district.
Any salmon landed will be the property of the successful bidder. Payment for all fish landed will be made to the State based on the price-per-pound rate requested by the Department. All salmon will be landed on a Department of Fish and Game limited entry permit card, and payment for the fish will be made to the State of Alaska. All salmon landed must be kept.
Bid price per pound should equal the amount the company needs in order to pay the Department for the number of salmon needed to meet biological sampling objectives. When making the bid, the company must consider the cost they will incur by providing the fishing vessels, crew, gear, fuel, tender services, and processing, etc.
The state will not be held liable for any damage to the vessels, aircraft or gear, or any injuries incurred during the completion of the contract.
The bidder is responsible for insurance on vessels, aircraft and insurance for personnel.
RFQ bid forms are available from the Cordova, ADF&G office upon request. Page 1 of this form may be faxed to the Cordova ADF&G office at 907-747-3235 or emailed to [email protected]. Please call the Cordova office at 907-424-3212 after faxing to ensure receipt.
