By Ben Matheson

The path to unified management of Kuskokwim salmon stocks is uncharted, but along the way, the newly established Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission wants involvement at each step. That begins with tribal consultation in preparations for another summer of sacrifice. The commission’s inaugural meeting concluded Wednesday in Bethel.

Another weak run of king salmon is expected this summer after several years of decline. State and federal managers are planning a slate of restrictions on par with last years, which brought in the smallest king salmon harvest on record.

Delegate Arthur Lake of Kwigillingok wants tribes to be parts of the decisions.

“Management, not advisory. It’s our hope that state and federal managers and regulators embrace that,” Lake says.

A wide ranging discussion revealed a vast spectrum of ideas on what conservation means. Mary Sattler of Bethel said the commission has a big opportunity and responsibility for the future of the at-risk king salmon.

“Our fishermen are so good at fishing, they’ll catch them all if that’s what the tribal fish commission wants them to do,” Sattler says. “The only way we can conserve this king run is if we say conservation starts with me, conservation starts with family, conservation started with my village.”

The million dollar question is what federal and state managers do with a more vocal and organized tribal presence in another critical year.

“This commission is going to have way more ability to influence decisions and discussions,” says Geoff Haskett who oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. “We’ve been working on this for the latest month and a half, working with the state, trying to get as many comments as we possibly can. We’re not going to get everything right. But I need to let you know our intent is to utilize this commission to act upon the things we talk both and have more discussions. We’re trying.”

Closures on the lower Kuskokwim will go into effect beginning May 21st.