It is found that the commercial towing vessels and container ships in the Coghill District are not responding to radio hails and are frequently not aware of traffic in the shipping lane that traverses the district. The authority has asked the fishermen operating in the shipping lanes at night to remain awake and use lighted buoys when they have gear deployed.
The U.S. Coast Guard wishes to remind fishermen that navigation rule 9 for international waters applies in Valdez Narrows. Rule 9-c states that “a vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.” According to the Coast Guard the security zone in Port Valdez will be operated as usual.
An aerial survey of delta stocks shows excellent observation. The anticipated cumulative minimum in-river escapement count for this date is 461,117. A total of 33,900 sockeye salmon were counted in the Copper River District vs. an estimated range of 28,229-66,722 for statistical week 27, which runs from June 29-July 5. besides all the other districts shows good observation but still the authority is asking the fishermen to maintain good lane traffic so that the stocks boosted up.
