A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Board of Fish sets 2026 Lower Cook Inlet meeting for Seward

The board last met in Seward in 2019

The next Lower Cook Inlet regulatory meeting of the State Board of Fisheries will be held in Seward, following scheduling of the meeting for Dec. 1 to 4, 2026, during a work session Tuesday, Oct. 29.

As part of an annual work session, the board set dates for each of its meetings in the 2026-2027 cycle. Board Executive Director Art Nelson prepared proposed dates, which each were accepted without objection.

The Lower Cook Inlet meeting will span four days, and if a venue cannot be secured for the accepted dates of Dec. 1 to 4, Dec. 8 to 11 has been chosen as backup.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

When the board moved to discussion of the meeting venue, member Tom Carpenter, of Cordova, moved to hold the meeting in Homer. His motion was seconded by Mike Wood, of Talkeetna. Wood asked for unanimous consent on the move but Chair Märit Carlson-Van Dort objected “for the purposes of discussion.”

The board “typically” rotates between Homer and Seward, she said. The board met in Homer in 2023 so Seward would be up next. The motion was swiftly revised and the board approved meeting in Seward by unanimous consent without further conversation.

The board did not discuss or cite calls received from Seward to host the meeting in their community in making their decision.

Included in meeting notes is a letter from Seward Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Samantha Allen, who writes in support of a call from the Seward Fish and Game Advisory Committee’s effort to bring the meeting back to the eastern Kenai Peninsula.

“Seward’s community is enthusiastic about hosting the Board of Fisheries meeting once again,” she writes.

Another letter was unanimously authorized by the Seward City Council and penned by Seward Mayor Sue McClure, also asking the board to meet in Seward.

“We hope you will select Seward and enjoy our wide variety of hotels, restaurants, and holiday cheer in December,” McClure wrote.

The board last met in Seward in 2019, when a meeting was held from Dec. 10 to 13 at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center’s Student Service Center to consider 47 proposals affecting fishing regulations in Lower Cook Inlet. The board operates on a three-year cycle, so meetings are held for each regulatory area every three years — with a year delayed in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A full recording of the Board of Fisheries work session can be found at adfg.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read