Our History

1990

Our First Forum

Hosted first annual Yukon River Forum, at which delegate members from the region met to plan objectives and strategies for the coming year. The Yukon River Forum continues to provide an opportunity for community members and state and federal agencies to share their concerns and ensure the integration of all management efforts.
1990

1992

Access to Information

Established a newsletter to disseminate information on concerns, actions, and future plans for all constituents in order to help them acquire the information and skills needed to advocate on behalf of themselves.
1992

1993

Create Management Plan

Led action to achieve the first consensus state management plan for the region at Alaska State Board of Fisheries (Toklat River Fall Chum Salmon Rebuilding Plan).
1993

1994

Initial Successes

  • Launched an ongoing in-season teleconference to bring together fishers and fisheries managers from the length of the Yukon River to discuss management of the current run.
  • Achieved first limits on salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands directed pollock fishery.
1994

1996

New Beginning

Began Salmon Marketing program.
1996

2000

Growing Our Mission

  • Received first Congressionally-directed grants for Yukon River information and education and for stock restoration, marine by-catch reduction, and habitat restoration work.
  • Started indigenous capacity-building projects for local Yukon River residents including the YRDFA Fisheries Technician Training Program.
  • Annually funds research to study the salmon life history of Yukon River salmon.
  • Started LTK program to document local knowledge about the Yukon River.
2000

2001

The Yukon River Salmon Agreement

Helped representatives from the United States and Canada reach a legally-binding agreement, The Yukon River Salmon Agreement, to cooperatively restore, conserve, and manage Yukon River Chinook and fall chum salmon, originating in Canada.
2001

2002

International Exchange

Began educational exchanges between Alaska and Yukon Territory to foster learning about the Yukon River Salmon Agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
2002

2004

Coordinate Campaign

Initiated a river-wide Wild Salmon Campaign with all Yukon River processors.
2004

2008

Unite Stakeholders

United key stakeholders in western Alaska to work through the North Pacific Fishery Management Council toward the common goal of getting a hard cap put into place that would limit salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands pollock fishery.
2008

2011

Salmon Cap

First Chinook salmon cap in the Bering Sea Aleutians pollock fishery is put into place.
2011

2013

Shaping the Future

YRDFA influences the King salmon management plan to include conservation closures of the first pulse of king salmon traveling into the Yukon River in districts Y-1, Y-2 and Y-3.

2013
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