1. (a) Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may issue an educational permit for the harvest of salmon within the Yukon Management Area, as described in 5 AAC 01.200, for the purposes of teaching and preserving long-established customary and traditional practices, including for ceremonial purposes. The educational fishery must have both instructors and students and must have attendance requirements. The commissioner may establish permit requirements, specify the required information that must be collected under the permit, and define activities allowed for the fishery and the area where the permit is issued. A permit will only be issued when the harvest of specified salmon species cannot be reasonably accommodated under existing regulations.

2. (b) An educational permit for teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices may only be issued to a person, a household, or a village or tribal council, community, or similarly qualified organization. A permit may only be issued if

   1. (1) species that are harvested under the permit are used as described in the permit application; and
   2. (2) the department receives the applicant's permit application not later than 15 days before the date the applicant proposes to begin the educational fishery program.

3. (c) An educational permit for ceremonial, funerary, or memorial purposes related to traditional cultural practices may only be issued to a person, a household, or a village or tribal council, community, or similarly qualified organization. A permit may only be issued if

   1. (1) species that are harvested under the permit are used as described in the permit request form by the applicant; and
   2. (2) the department receives the applicant's completed permit form in advance of the intended activity.

4. (d) A permit application for teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices must specify

   1. (1) the requestor's name and contact information;
   2. (2) information related to the purpose for the application;
   3. (3) each individual authorized to participate in the permitted activity specific to the harvest of salmon;
   4. (4) the specific harvest location; and
   5. (5) information requested by the department.

5. (e) A permit application submitted for ceremonial, funerary, or memorial purposes must specify

   1. (1) the requestor's name and contact information;
   2. (2) information related to the purpose for the application;
   3. (3) each individual authorized to participate in the permitted activity specific to the harvest of salmon;
   4. (4) the specific harvest location; and
   5. (5) information requested by the department.
6. (f) The department shall establish permit requirements, applicable activities for which the harvest is permitted, reporting requirements, harvest limits by species, methods and means, allowable gear types, fishing dates, individuals authorized to conduct harvest activities, and other guidelines or requirements applicable to the approved permit.

7. (g) The total harvest limit by species for an approved permit under this section for teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices is as follows:

   1. (1) 10 king salmon;
   2. (2) 50 summer chum salmon;
   3. (3) 25 fall chum salmon;
   4. (4) 25 coho salmon.

8. (h) For approved permits combined under this section for teaching and preserving traditional cultural practices,

   1. (1) the total annual harvest limit by species is as follows:

      1. (A) 300 king salmon;
      2. (B) 1,000 summer chum salmon;
      3. (C) 500 fall chum salmon;
      4. (D) 500 coho salmon; and
   2. (2) when the total annual harvest limit has been reached, the department may not issue additional permits for the harvest of that species.

9. (i) The total harvest limit by species for a permit issued under this section for ceremonial, funerary, or memorial purposes is as follows:

   1. (1) five king salmon;
   2. (2) 10 summer chum salmon;
   3. (3) 10 fall chum salmon;
   4. (4) 10 coho salmon.
10. (j) A permit holder may initiate fishing upon receipt of the permit within the terms of the permit.
11. (k) Only the permit holder and the authorized individuals listed on the permit may harvest salmon under the permit.
12. (l) A permit holder or an authorized individual shall personally maintain the permit at all times while fishing and shall make the permit available to the department or law enforcement personnel upon request.
13. (m) Once permitted activity is complete, a permit holder shall notify the department of the harvest taken and shall provide other information as specified in the permit.

(Eff. 6/15/2025, Register 254)

Authority: AS 16.05.020, AS 16.05.340