New rules enacted for fishing guides

ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has enacted new rules for Southcentral Alaska saltwater fishing guides and crews.

They will be banned from keeping any fish on their own fishing licenses while clients are on their boats.

The rules also say the maximum number of lines fished on a guide's vessel can't exceed the number of paying clients on board.

The rules take effect May 23 through Sept. 1.

The department said the Pacific halibut guideline harvest level for charter boat anglers was exceeded each year from 2004 to 2007.

The new rules apply to all fish species and cover Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet.