A judge dismissed fishing citations against four Alaska Native men who said they were exercising their subsistence rights.

Sen. Albert Kookesh (D) and three others were charged for exceeding fishing catch limits. But the judge said the limit was set by the state without adequate public comment.

"They say you can only get 15 fish per family per year and a couple miles away you had commercial seine boats getting thousands of fish a day," Kookesh told The Juneau Empire. "We have always provided for our elders with subsistence, it is the only way they can get their fish."

The state is deciding whether to appeal.

Get the Story:
State has 30 days to consider Kookesh subsistence ruling (The Juneau Empire 9/12)

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