Alaskan sport fishing season begins with guidelines due to COVID-19
April 16, 2020
Last Monday, April 14, 2020, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened the sport fishing season, following the sanitary restrictions involved with the coronavirus outbreak in the state. The Department of Fish and Game reminds participants to follow the restrictions the State currently has in place so as not to spread Covid-19. Sport and personal fishing will be open to the public during the 2020 season "subject to the fulfillment of health mandates", the department commissioner's office reported in a statement on Monday. It should be noted that subsistence fishing is currently open and unrestricted. The travel ban between communities issued on March 27, 2020, established by the governor, Mike Dunleavy, does not include Alaskan residents traveling to fishing spots, the Department of Fish and Game said. People who practice sport fishing or personal use fishing outside their own communities were asked to follow state-set guidelines, which include staying close to their homes, as well as complying with local rules when purchasing food, beverages and/or gas. The department also asked fishermen to practice social distancing and use face masks, "complying with these stipulations will allow Alaskans the opportunity to fish and put food on their tables while taking steps to protect public health and give time to build the necessary health infrastructure," the department said. The announcement of the opening of the sport fishing season from the Department of Fish and Game was made along with a guide that includes ways for Alaskan residents to avoid COVID-19 transmission. "The Department understands the value of these activities to Alaskans and supports residents who have the opportunity to go out and fish to provide for their families and are able to fill their freezers," the statement said. One thing to remember is that in days past, the native village of Kwinhagak passed a resolution asking the State to close the fishing season this summer, despite having a small but flourishing sport fishing industry on the Kanektok and Arolik rivers. by Sol de Medianoche |