Public comments on the Federal Subsistence Management Program review are due by February 13, 2026.

This comment period follows a public scoping process, including a joint open house held by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture on February 3 in Anchorage.

How to comment:

• Email: subsistence@ios.doi.gov

• Mail: Office of the Secretary, Senior Advisor for Alaska Affairs, 4230 University Drive, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99508

More information: https://shorturl.at/B3End

Reminder: Public Open House

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are hosting a joint open house to receive public input as part of a limited review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program.

When: February 3, 2026 | 3:00–7:00 p.m. (AKST)
Where: Gordon Watson Conference Room
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office
1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503

Virtual Option (Microsoft Teams): https://shorturl.at/jeQkU
Call-in: (833) 436-1163 | Conference ID: 829 130 64#

Starts at 9:00 AM and ends when the Board completes its work

Location: Gordon Watson Conference Room
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office
1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503

What:

• Review recommendations on the 2026 Fisheries Resources Monitoring Plan

• Receive updates on programmatic issues and processes

Public Participation: The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Agenda & Materials: https://shorturl.at/cySZN | Available for download at the Federal Subsistence Board website.
More information (including virtual options): https://shorturl.at/Acav2

Joint open house hosted by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to receive public input as part of a limited review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program.

Location: Gordon Watson Conference Room
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office
1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503

Virtual Option: Microsoft Teams
Link:https://shorturl.at/jeQkU
Call-in: (833) 436-1163 | Conference ID: 829 130 64#

Public Comments Due:February 13, 2026

More Info:https://shorturl.at/B3End

Contact communications@yritfc.org if you have any questions.

Comments on proposals for the Alaska Peninsula / Aleutian Island / Chignik Finfish meeting, which directly impacts Western Alaska chum migration corridors are due by 11:59 PM on February 3, 2026. This is the deadline for written public comments ahead of the Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting held Feb. 18–24, 2026, in Anchorage.

Submit your written comments online:

Board of Fisheries meeting info page (Submit Public Comments):
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo&date=02-18-2026&meeting=anchorage

Alternative online comment form:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5b712469da654e119701e0a95b6d3594

Deadline to submit a written comment on the Draft EIS, and/or recommendations for the NPFMC’s Final Action, to the NPFMC is January 30th.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will take Final Action on the alternatives presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) February 2–11, 2026 in Anchorage.

Alternatives Under Consideration:

1. No Action / Status Quo

2. Annual Bering Sea-wide cap of 100,000–550,000 chum salmon

3. Conditional Bering Sea-wide cap of 100,000–550,000 chum salmon triggered after years of low chum salmon returns

4. Stronger contractual requirements for the pollock industry to reduce bycatch

5. Targeted time-area cap of 50,000–350,000 chum salmon in the highest bycatch zones for Western Alaska

Full Draft EIS available here:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/draft-environmental-impact-statement-and-regulatory-impact-review-proposed

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Tribal Resource Stewardship (TRS) and partners, including the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, created a 30-minute video explaining the EIS, the NPFMC’s role, and why stronger chum salmon bycatch management matters for Western Alaska.
Watch the video: https://shorturl.at/Qjok4

This meeting is open to the public.

Location: Nenana Native Village Council Office, 806 G St, Nenana
Join online: https://bit.ly/MNAC-TRMAC-jan28
Dial in: (669) 444-9171 or (888) 475-4499 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 843 9757 5088
Passcode: AREAM

Voting will be held in person and by web/teleconference. If you plan to participate remotely or cannot attend in person, please contact the regional coordinator prior to the election meeting.

More information: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=222321

There will be a Tribal Engagement session with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on January 27th from 10:00am-12:00pm AKST regarding the chum bycatch action which will be open to Tribal citizens. This is open more broadly than the Tribal Consultation on the 26th as it pertains to Tribal citizens and groups. Contact communications@yritfc.org for more information.

• Visit the NMFS Chum Salmon Bycatch website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/bycatch/bering-sea-non-chinook-salmon-bycatch

• Learn about the NMFS numbers regarding historical chum salmon bycatch: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/akro/chum_salmon_mortality2025.html

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be holding a Tribal Consultation with Tribes regarding the current chum salmon bycatch issue. Open to formal representatives of Alaska Native Tribes. Please contact communications@yritfc.org for more details.

• Visit the NMFS Chum Salmon Bycatch website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/bycatch/bering-sea-non-chinook-salmon-bycatch

• Learn about the NMFS numbers regarding historical chum salmon bycatch: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/akro/chum_salmon_mortality2025.html

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the State of Alaska’s petition challenging federally protected rural and Alaska Native subsistence fishing rights in the case against the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (KRITFC), the United States, and Alaska Native rights advocates. This decision leaves in place lower-court rulings that uphold long-standing federal subsistence priority protections under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), marking a significant victory for rural and Alaska Native subsistence fishers.

KRITFC Chair Martin Andrew said the outcome “not only upholds rural subsistence rights in Alaska, but upholds the participation of local people, elected by the Tribes, in the co-management of Kuskokwim salmon,” recognizing the critical role of subsistence fishing for food security, culture, and community well-being. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/0gvrg

Read news article here: https://shorturl.at/483PP

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=process.acinfo&ac=tanana_rampart_manly

The DEIS is an analysis of the environmental impacts of proposed management measures to minimize chum salmon bycatch (Oncorhynchus keta) in the Bering Sea pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fishery, particularly bycatch of chum salmon of western Alaska origin. The management measures being considered include:

• A limit on chum salmon bycatch;

• A limit on chum salmon bycatch that would apply only during lower chum salmon abundance;

• Additional chum salmon avoidance measures managed by formal fishermen agreements; and

• A limit on chum salmon bycatch that triggers a temporary closure of an area with historically higher rates of bycatch of chum salmon from Western Alaska.

National Marine Fisheries Service will be accepting written comments from the public on the proposed alternatives in the DEIS until January 5, 2026.

Comments may be submitted electronically through the www.regulations.gov portal by entering NOAA-NMFS-2023-0089 in the search box, or by mail to:

Jonathan M. Kurland, Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.

View document and more information here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/draft-environmental-impact-statement-and-regulatory-impact-review-proposed

The Coastal Lower Yukon Fish & Game Advisory Committee will meet and hold officer elections.

Agenda items will include the following:

• Updates from ADF&G Wildlife and Fisheries staff

• Discussion about Board of Fisheries Proposals 

• Other Business as necessary

To Join by Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84589589676?pwd=KG2t8xGBVppQESWaexuZW1ajhW48kb.1 Meeting ID: 845 8958 9676 Passcode: CLYAC​ To join by teleconference dial: 1-253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 495 277 1108

Online meeting notice: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=221973

Thursday, December 18

EIRAC Meeting | Location: Garden Room
Call-in number: 1-833-436-1163
Conference ID: 945 65 79#
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link: Click here

WIRAC Meeting | Location: Boardroom
Call-in number: 1-833-436-1163
Conference ID: 479 394 890#
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link: Click here

Wednesday, December 17

Location: Wedgewood, Gazebo Room
Call-in number: 1-833-436-1163
Conference ID: 945 65 79#
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link: Click here

The Upper Tanana Fortymile Fish and Game Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Tok ADF&G Conference Room and by web/teleconference. This meeting is open to the public.

Agenda items will include the following:

• Tok ADG&G Staff Updates - Moose, Caribou, Sheep and IM

• Initial discussion about BOG Proposals for 2026-2027 Interior/Northeast Region Cycle

• Discussion/planning for elections for members with expired terms

• Other fisheries, wildlife, and committee business as needed

Online meeting notice: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=221918

Tuesday, December 16

Location: Gazebo Room
Call-in number: 1-833-436-1163
Conference ID: 945 65 79#
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link: Click here

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET (6:59 p.m. AKST)
Submit Comments To:nmfs.seafoodstrategy@noaa.gov

Description:
NOAA Fisheries is accepting public input on Regulatory Reform, Seafood Industry Challenges, and Innovative Approaches under Executive Order 14276: Restoring America’s Seafood Competitiveness. Comments are requested on federal fishing regulations, fisheries challenges, management and science improvements, and ways to expand fishing opportunities. More information and how to comment here.

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm Alaska Time
Format: Virtual listening session
Registration: Online registration available through NOAA Fisheries. Register here

Description:
NOAA Fisheries is hosting a Tribal Nations listening session to gather comments and insights related to Regulatory Reform, Seafood Industry Challenges, and the Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. Tribal leaders and representatives are encouraged to attend and share priorities and concerns. More information here

Location: JP Jones Community Development Center, 2400 Rickert St, Fairbanks & Web/teleconference (open to the public)
Agenda: Alaska Wildlife Trooper Update on Fortymile Caribou Hunt; Recap of Lower Tanana Wood Bison Planning Group meeting; Fisheries Subcommittee Report; Game & Trap Subcommittee – Board of Game Southeast Proposal comments due Jan 9; Other fisheries, wildlife, and committee business as needed
Meeting materials: Online Public Notice
Join online: https://bit.ly/fairbanksACdec10
Dial-in: (669) 444-9171 | Meeting ID: 846 3842 8153 | Passcode: FAIRBANKS

Location: Web/teleconference only (open to the public)
Agenda: ADFG Staff Updates; Elections to fill 4 expired and vacant seats; Officer elections (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary); Appointment of alternates; Review 2025–2026 Board of Fisheries Proposals; Other fisheries, wildlife, and committee business as needed
Voting eligibility: Must be a voting-age resident of the area served by the committee (Units 20, 21, 24, 25, Upper Yukon River, Tanana River for finfish) and attending the meeting
Meeting materials: Online Public Notice
Archived minutes & audio: Tanana Rampart Manley AC
Join online: https://bit.ly/tananarampartmanleyACdec9
Dial-in: (669) 444-9171 or (888) 475-4499 Toll-Free | Meeting ID: 835 0490 6854 | Passcode: TRM