Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim

Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim-Norton Sound Area Map

The Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim (AYK) Region encompasses the coastal waters of Alaska and includes the rivers and streams that drain into the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. It stretches from its boundary at Cape Newenham with the Bristol Bay area to the border with Canada on the Arctic Ocean. The Yukon River, with the fifth largest drainage in North America, lies within this management region, as do many other major rivers; the Kuskokwim being second in size next to the Yukon. With the exception of Fairbanks, Bethel, and Nome, this is a region of villages. Salmon and herring are the most important fisheries resources in this region. Large numbers of salmon are taken for subsistence and subsistence harvests can equal or surpass the numbers of fish harvested in commercial fisheries, especially Chinook salmon. King crab is harvested near Nome in both commercial and subsistence fisheries. Whitefish are also important to the residents of this region.