Kenai Harbor in Cook Inlet is photographed on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Harbor in Cook Inlet is photographed on May 14, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

City of Kenai voices opposition to potential closure of federal Cook Inlet waters to salmon fishing

The council voted unanimously in support of the resolution.

The Kenai City Council formalized their opposition to the potential closure of federal waters in Cook Inlet to commercial salmon fishing during a special meeting Monday night.

The legislation, which was presented to the council by Mayor Brian Gabriel as Resolution 2020-89, specifically opposes “Alternative 4,” one of four proposed alternative amendments to the Fisheries Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to the resolution memo, Alternative 4 would “effectively close the commercial salmon drift fishery in the Cook Inlet and force remaining processing plants to close.” The “whereas” statements in the resolution also acknowledge that most of the Cook Inlet Drift Fleet harvest occurs in the waters that would be closed if Alternative 4 was passed.

Other reasons for the council’s opposition to Alternative 4 include their claim that the decision is not based in science, that the loss of the Inlet’s drift gillnet fisher would cause job losses and that the drift gillnet fleet is “a critical component” of Kenai that positively contributes to the city’s history and culture, among other things.

Gabriel also voiced his concern that Alternative 4 was “interjected” at the last meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) on Oct. 12 and that closing the waters will negatively impact area fisheries.

“There’s sort of this domino effect that could take place … that if you eliminate this area of fishing for the drift fleet you’re eliminating the feedstock of product for the processors,” Gabriel said. “They’re private businesses; there’ll be no reason for them to stick around.”

Other alternatives include leaving this as-is and delegating specific management measures to the state.

Council member Henry Knackstedt proposed an amendment to the resolution, which was adopted, clarifying that the council has not considered which of the other alternatives should be adopted by the NPFMC.

The council voted unanimously in support of the resolution.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will take up similar legislation at their Dec. 1 meeting.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill

The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Most Read