The City of Kenai, through a resolution by the City Council at the December 21st meeting, has requested that Governor Mike Dunleavy declare an economic disaster in the Upper Cook Inlet Fisheries Region, and solicits the Governor’s support of a recovery plan.
A declaration, according to Resolution 2022-083, could create the means for financial assistance for those involved in the fishery and assistance for science and resource management. These plans would benefit all users.
In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, much of the loss was due to harvest restrictions imposed through the management plan based on low Chinook abundance. These restrictions contributed to the East Side Set Net Fishery in the Upper Cook Inlet decreasing 63% and 90% less than the average 5-year gross ex-vessel value. These statistics are excluding the prior disaster years 2018 and 2020.
The dramatic decline threatens the livelihood of the individuals, families, and businesses participating in the fishery and jeopardizes the continued viability of the industry in the Upper Cook Inlet Region.
Council member Deborah Sounart spoke on the ordiance;
“I’m sorry it’s gotten to this point. But hopefully this resolution can bring some kind of relief, if it’s just economic relief to the business of set-netting. And as you said there’s like four hundred and forty families that have been hurt by this whole industry that’s not being given a fair shake. I’m certainly in support of this resolution and I just hope that in the future things can work itself out to where everybody has access to harvest this natural resource that we have, this natural resource that is in abundance.”
The City of Kenai recognizes and supports the positive economic and cultural impact of commercial fisheries and all users that participate.