Over one hundred protesters gathered at the entrance to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex yesterday to challenge the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s annual Classic fundraising event.
Bruce Vadla was there holding a sign near the highway.
Vadla: “KRSA doesn’t represent a lot of the people who enjoy fishing on the Kenai Peninsula, including of course the commercial side of things but I’m a sport fisherman as well. I don’t make my living as a sport fishing guide which I think is what KRSA represents. I think it’s important to have a diverse fishery I think it’s important to take care of the environment and the ecosystem and support the fish themselves.”
The protesters were made-up of sport, commercial, private fisher men and women, along with community members and biologists.
Kenai Area Fisherman’s Coalition member Dave Athens pinpointed a common “final straw” heard by many protesters which was KRSA’s opposition to Board of Fisheries nominee Robert Ruffner.
Athens: “He’s exactly what should be on the Board of Fish and they killed the nomination with unethical behavior, they miss-characterized Robert. I think that’s had a kind of catalyzing effect, what brought the community together is now, not only have we lost board meetings, we can’t even get a local representative in.”
KRSA Executive Director Ricky Gease disputed the protesters’ allegations that his organization and the classic do not help conservation.
He wrote in an email, “Our primary goal at KRSA is conservation of salmon habitat while promoting responsible sportfishing on the Kenai River. The Classic brings awareness that the Kenai River matters. The event provides an educational opportunity to attendees on a wide ranges of issues, including habitat conservation, fisheries management, research and stewardship of this great resource.”
