Yukon River fishing restrictions may stay: DFO

Salmon fishing in the Yukon River will likely face some restrictions again this year, a federal official says.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the commercial and sport fisheries in the river will likely be closed again this year, as salmon numbers are projected to remain low.

However, the First Nations subsistence fishery should be open this year, DFO Yukon area manager Frank Quinn told CBC News.

"First Nations fisheries shouldn't have restrictions this year. However, the commercial, domestic and sport fishery will probably not open, based on the information that we have now," Quinn said Monday.

There have been fewer salmon in the Yukon River in recent years, reaching a record low in 2008.

Quinn said biologists will watch the lower stretches of the Yukon River in neighbouring Alaska, adding that fishing restrictions will be modified or even lifted if there is more fish than what's currently predicted.