Press Contacts:
Bobbie Jo Skibo, USDA Forest Service
Russian River Interagency Coordinator
907-362-1527, 907-288-7739
Anglers and Visitors Asked to Participate in Collaborative Process & Follow Regulations to Minimize Human-Bear Conflicts in the
Russian-Kenai River Area
COOPER LANDING, Alaska- The sockeye salmon are now headed to the Russian River, bears are out of their dens and anglers are planning their fishing trips. On June 11, the Kenai-Russian River area will kick off the sockeye salmon season. The area, known as the Kenai Russian River Complex is valued by anglers, federally qualified subsistence users, and other visitors for its easy access. High human use between the months of May and September – coupled with abundant fishery resources – has led to periodic conflicts between people and bears who visit the area. In some cases, these conflicts resulted in personal injury to visitors and the subsequent death of bears.
In April, a series of public forums were held to gain insights from interested members of the public to assist management agencies in developing an effective action plan to minimize human-bear conflicts in the Kenai-Russian River area. The goal is to minimize the potential for human injury and to avoid having to kill bears to protect public safety. Past management actions have focused on how anglers handle harvested fish and fish waste; proper storage of human food, beverages and other bear attractants; and public education about ways to avoid attracting bears to areas used by humans.
The public is invited to comment on how past management actions have worked and to suggest new or improved approaches.
During the fishing season, the public is encouraged to get involved:
* To learn more and to read the April meeting summary, visit the project website at: https://projects.ecr.gov/kenai-russianriver/.
* Email the project’s facilitator, Jan Caulfield at janc@xxxxxxx with comments or questions.
A second round of public meetings will be held in Fall 2011 to provide more opportunity for public involvement in development of an action plan to minimize human-bear conflicts in the Kenai-Russian River area. But if visiting this season please do your part by following the regulations and recommendations below while on the Kenai and Russian rivers.
Food Storage Regulation
A food storage regulation is in effect on both the USDA Forest Service lands and US Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters in the area which means that all attractants (for example: food, beverages, and garbage) and equipment used to cook or store food (for example: coolers and backpacks) must be acceptably stored (in a bear resistant container, in your vehicle, or kept within 3 feet of you at all times) while on the river.
Retained Fish in Possession Regulation
Fish must be kept within 12 feet of you all at times to ensure that bears do not attain your fish.
Processing Harvested Fish
Anglers are asked to remove fish whole. If they prefer to fillet, they are asked to use tables that are provided at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers and at the ferry site. If filleting, anglers are asked to Stop, Chop, and Throw (cut carcasses up into numerous pieces before throwing into the fast moving current).
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