1. (a) The purpose of the management plan under this section is to meet the Board of Fisheries' goal of slowing the growth in the sport harvest of king salmon in the salt waters of Cook Inlet during the winter, which occurs from September 1 through March 31.

2. (b) In the winter salt water king salmon sport fishery in Cook Inlet

   1. (1) the guideline harvest level is 5,500 king salmon;
   2. (2) the sport harvest will be estimated annually by the department's statewide harvest survey;
   3. (3) the bag and possession limit for king salmon is two fish;
   4. (4) the annual limit and harvest record specified in 5 AAC 58.022 does not apply;
   5. (5) if the guideline harvest level is expected to be exceeded, the commissioner shall restrict retention of king salmon to fish 20 inches or greater in length by emergency order.
3. (c) For the purposes of this section, Cook Inlet consists of the salt waters of Cook Inlet west of the longitude of Gore Point at 150° 57.85' W. long., and north of the latitude of Cape Douglas at 58° 51.10' N. lat., including all of Kachemak Bay.

(Eff. 12/29/2002, Register 164; am 3/2/2011, Register 197; am 2/23/2014, Register 209; am 3/15/2017, Register 221; am 4/28/2024, Register 250)

Authority: AS 16.05.060, AS 16.05.251