How are Alaska's fisheries managed and what makes them different?

Alaska has a unique management system for a unique fish. Salmon can be counted at numerous places in any river or stream. This means that much depends on weather and water flows, which makes in-season monitoring particularly important from year to year.

The management system allows for closed fishing periods interspersed during the season which give the fishery managers time to analyze the data they have collected during the open fishing periods. Managers can then use their analyses to determine the length and start time of the next open fishing period in order to help meet escapement and harvest goals.

This system works very well as management measures which can be implemented as needed in real time.