Yukon Management Area Educational Fishing Permit for Customary and Traditional Harvest of Salmon (5AAC 93.212)
In response to historically low Yukon River Chinook salmon returns and multiple years of failing to meet Canadian-origin Chinook escapement goals, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) entered into a seven-year agreement that established a moratorium on all directed Chinook salmon fishing beginning in 2024. One provision of the agreement (Item 4) allows both the United States and Canada to provide limited opportunities for educational and ceremonial use, as described below:
“Recognizing the importance of Chinook salmon for ceremonial use and the transmission of cultural knowledge, the Parties, may, at their discretion, provide limited harvest opportunity”
The State of Alaska subsequently adopted the Yukon Management Area Educational Fishing Permit for the Customary and Traditional Harvest of Salmon (5 AAC 93.212). This regulation allows for the limited harvest of salmon, including Chinook salmon, for the purpose of teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices, as well as for ceremonial, funerary, and memorial purposes. Alaska Tribes were not consulted on the agreement and have no involvement in the permitting process or management of these permits which are administered by ADF&G.Note: This is not a subsistence permit. Fish harvested under this permit must be used for educational and/or ceremonial use. Please review the regulations before submitting your information.
How much fish can you harvest?
Purpose 1: Teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices (i.e. culture camps) Allowable harvest: 10 chinook | 50 summer chum | 25 fall chum | 25 coho
Purpose 2: Ceremonial, funerary, or memorial purposes (i.e. memorial potlatch) Allowable harvest: 5 chinook | 10 summer chum | 10 fall chum | 10 coho
How do you apply?
Call or email ADF&G area management with the required information. Culture camp applications must be sent in at least 2 weeks before fishing is planned to start.
Contact: Summer Season Manager Deena Jallen: deena.jallen@alaska.gov, (907) 459-7274
OR
Complete YRITFC form & we’ll get your information over to the management team: YRITFC Educational Fishery Permit Form
What required information do you need to provide?
Tribe or community hosting event
Contact Information
Event Name
Fishing district where harvest will occur
Planned fishing dates
Gear to be used
Fishermen names
Nearest community to fishing area
Submit any flyers, schedules, or educational materials relevant to event
Once permits are finalized, they need to be printed out and carried with the fishermen during fishing activities. Harvest must be recorded by date on the permit each day that fishing occurs. Harvest must be reported within 1 week of the end fishing period. After the Event has finished, a report of the number of participants, completed activities and how the fish were distributed must also be sent in. Educational permit requests must be sent in at least 2 weeks before fishing is planned to start.
The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is available to provide updates on Yukon River fisheries, share information about ongoing Fish Commission projects, and discuss ways we can support your Tribe. Let us know if this event or gathering will be an appropriate opportunity for the Fish Commission to visit and connect with your community.
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If you have any questions or need additional information, please email communications@yritfc.org.