The most aggressive approach to cutting king salmon bycatch on the lower Yukon River went nowhere Friday evening, but a number of more subtle approaches remain on the table.

By a unanimous vote, the Alaska Board of Fisheries quickly rejected a proposal Friday night that would have shut down the chum salmon commercial fishery at the mouth of the Yukon River. Before the vote, council members described the law as “draconian” and as more of a generalized expression of frustration than a serious proposal.

When the fish board continues its meeting this morning at the conference room at Fairbanks’ Finish Line Restaurant, it will consider other proposals to limit bycatch from lower Yukon River commercial fishermen. The board also will vote on a few proposals that would take things in the opposite direction by expanding the commercial fishery.

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