State says fishing for sport and personal use remains open amid COVID-19 concerns

State officials announced on Monday that sport and personal use fishing will remain open in Alaska, though anglers must still follow public health mandates.

“Although travel between communities is prohibited under the issued health mandates, the public may still travel to fishing locations,” the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in a prepared statement.

When people travel outside their communities to fish, they must fish as close to home as possible and practice social distancing, among other recommendations. The state also recommended that they wear protective face masks.

Food and other supplies for the trip must come from the fisherman’s home community.

“Don’t plan on buying food, drinks or even fuel (if possible) after you begin your trip and until you return home,” the statement said.

Fishermen must follow published fishing regulations for the 2020 season, the statement said.

The Kenai River Sportfishing Association expressed support for the decision in a statement. It will allow Alaskans to maintain access to sport, guided sport and personal use fisheries during the COVID-19 crisis, the statement said.

The state has determined that guided fishing is critical infrastructure and is an industry allowed to continue operating with special plans in place to prevent the virus from spreading.

Critical infrastructure includes: “Fishing, including persons engaged in subsistence fishing and in the fishing industry including the fisherman, processors, guides, and transporters of the fish as well of those under contract with the fisherman, processors, guides, and transporters for provisioning,” the state has said.

“Governor Dunleavy, Commissioner (Doug) Vincent-Lang, and Commissioner (Adam) Crum have been very responsive to working with the public to ensure opportunity for Alaskans to harvest food, while working to protect the public health,” said Ben Mohr, executive director of the association. “We believe the administration recognizes that hunting and fishing in Alaska are critical activities.”

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