Performance Details
Department of Fish and Game - State Subsistence
Mission
To scientifically gather, quantify, evaluate, and report information about customary and traditional uses of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources. (AS 16.05.094)
Core Services
- Compile and analyze existing data; conduct research to gather information on the role of hunting and fishing by Alaskans for customary and traditional uses.
- Disseminate current subsistence use information to the public, appropriate agencies and organizations, and fisheries and wildlife management divisions.
- Assist the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, and the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game to evaluate customary and traditional uses of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources and amounts reasonably necessary for subsistence uses (ANS) of those resources.
- Assist fisheries and wildlife managers in preparing management plans to ensure information on customary and traditional uses and fish and wildlife harvests is incorporated.
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Performance Detail
A: Result - Accurate, comprehensive, and current research on customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife in Alaska. |
A1: Core Service - Compile and analyze existing data; conduct research to gather information on the role of hunting and fishing by Alaskans for customary and traditional uses. |
Target #1: Conduct a minimum of five studies, either comprehensive or targeted, of customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife and harvests in at least three of the six regions each year.
Community Survey Projects, by Region
Analysis of results and challenges: The division conducts field studies and gathers harvest survey information in communities almost entirely with special project funding. The funding is generally obtained through a competitive proposal process to address questions related to customary and traditional uses of specific fisheries and wildlife resources. Systematic regionwide or comprehensive surveys can occur only when relatively larger funding support is available, a rare occurrence in the past ten years. The data table shows information has been incomplete for several regions over a five year period, with improvements in fiscal years 2016 and 2019. The target is to have scientific information collected and analyzed in each region at a consistent level each year; and develop a balance across regions, recognizing geographic differences. The target was achieved in four of the last five fiscal years. However, in FY2020, the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent restrictions and closures imposed to protect public health and safety during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the section's normal research activities. Reports and data graphs reflect the loss of data collection. |
A2: Core Service - Disseminate current subsistence use information to the public, appropriate agencies and organizations, and fisheries and wildlife management divisions. |
Target #1: Update and maintain the Community Subsistence Information System (CSIS), an online public information resource, by including all studies completed during the fiscal year.
Number of Community Studies Formatted for Community Database
Analysis of results and challenges: The CSIS is the State of Alaska\'s single source of community-level subsistence harvest information. Stand-alone datasets from annual salmon and halibut harvest surveys are planned for merging into the CSIS, so all harvest information can be available through a single portal. As funding levels decline, capacity to add data to the CSIS is affected. FY2017 includes several historical community datasets. In FY2020, the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent restrictions and closures imposed to protect public health and safety during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the section's normal research activities. Reports and data graphs reflect the loss of data collection. Related links:
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Target #2: Produce technical research reports and related updates of current information, including harvest data documentation, at or exceeding the five-year average.
Technical Reports Published
Analysis of results and challenges: The division's Technical Paper and Special Publications series are its cornerstone of detailed scientific reporting to the public, the Board of Fisheries, Board of Game, and Joint Board of Fisheries and Game, and to natural resource development. These reports provide harvest and other information on customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife. The information in these studies is used by the Board of Fisheries, Board of Game, and Joint Board for allocation among uses, and to inform responsible development of Alaska's natural resources. There are more than 400 reports in the Technical Paper series. The target objective was 19.6 reports per year for the previous five years, and the division completed and released 21 technical research reports and updates in FY2019. Related links:
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B: Result - Current, scientifically gathered information and analyses of customary and traditional use data to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for Alaskans. |
Target #1: Evaluate all proposed state regulatory actions regarding reasonable opportunity for customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife.
Subsistence Regulation Proposals Reviewed and Analyzed
Analysis of results and challenges: The division's highest priority is to perform reviews and achieve the target of reviewing and analyzing all relevant proposals. The division continues to review all proposed state regulations pertaining to customary and traditional uses of fisheries and wildlife and provide harvest amounts and other research findings based on the best available information. The information is used by fisheries and wildlife managers and the Board of Fisheries, Board of Game, and Joint Board of Fisheries and Game to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for Alaskans consistent with sustained yield of the resources. The number of proposals fluctuates with the boards' schedules. |
B1: Core Service - Assist the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, and the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game to evaluate customary and traditional uses of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources and amounts reasonably necessary for subsistence uses (ANS) of those resources. |
Target #1: Conduct review and analysis of all regulatory proposals relevant to customary and traditional use opportunities and the amount of harvest reasonably necessary for those uses; and provide background information and analysis to fisheries management.
Number of Proposals Reviewed by Region Before Board of Fisheries
Analysis of results and challenges: The division's highest priority is to perform reviews and achieve the target of reviewing and analyzing all relevant proposals to provide maximum harvest opportunity for Alaskans. The division continues to address all proposed regulatory changes relevant to customary and traditional uses and harvests of fisheries resources by Alaskans. The number of proposals reviewed fluctuates with the regulatory cycle of each board. This information is used by fisheries managers and the Board of Fisheries to provide fishing opportunities for Alaskans consistent with sustained yield of the resources. |
Target #2: Conduct review and analysis of all regulatory proposals relevant to customary and traditional use opportunities and the amount of harvest reasonably necessary for those uses; and provide background information and analysis to wildlife management.
Number of Proposals Reviewed by Region Before Board of Game Action
Analysis of results and challenges: The division's highest priority is to perform reviews and achieve the target of reviewing and analyzing all relevant proposals to provide maximum harvest opportunity for Alaskans. The division continues to address all proposed regulatory changes relevant to customary and traditional uses and harvests of wildlife resources by Alaskans. The data table shows the number of proposals reviewed by region and overall for wildlife. The number of proposals reviewed fluctuates with the regulatory cycle of each board. This information is used by wildlife managers and the Board of Game to provide hunting opportunities for Alaskans consistent with sustained yield of the resources. |
B2: Core Service - Assist fisheries and wildlife managers in preparing management plans to ensure information on customary and traditional uses and fish and wildlife harvests is incorporated. |
Target #1: Incorporate customary and traditional use and harvest information into all management plans developed for those fish stocks and game populations for which customary and traditional use findings apply.
Management Plans Incorporating Subsistence Information
Analysis of results and challenges: The division is involved in fisheries and wildlife management planning, as necessary, where customary and traditional use information, including harvest data, is required for Board of Fisheries, Board of Game, Joint Board of Fisheries and Game, and management divisions. Also included are studies and plans related to economic development projects that may affect customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife resources, and it is this latter component that the division has been successful in increasing efforts to inform for responsible development. The data table shows the number of fisheries and wildlife management plans for which customary and traditional use and harvest information has been provided. This target includes reviewing and contributing to all relevant management plans requiring customary and traditional use information. |
Current as of November 24, 2020