commercial fishing

Coleman spent 50 years setnetting in Cook Inlet

The declaration opens impacted fishers and related businesses to federal relief money. The U.S. Department of Commerce declared disasters for the 2021 and 2022 seasons earlier this spring.

The United Cook Inlet Drift Association and the Cook Inlet Fishermen's Fund filed suit Wednesday.

Senate Bill 93, signed into law last month by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, increases the maximum payout from the fishermen’s fund to $15,000. The fund is generated from fishing license fees and serves injured commercial fishermen.

The ruling will move management of the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone to the federal government, and create new rules for commercial gillnetters who fish in the area.

Founded in 2013, the Alaska Rug Company uses recycled fishing line and rope to craft handwoven rugs, doormats, baskets and more. The small business recently relocated to the Kenai Peninsula.

The latest Upper Cook Inlet commercial fishing report shows the impact of closing the east side set-net fishery — a 40% decline in fish caught this year. Set-netters are worried about the future of their fishery, and the possible long-term impacts of over escapement.

NOAA Fisheries is required to draft a new salmon management plan for the federal waters of Cook Inlet — a contentious fishery that's been at the center of multiple lawsuits. Now, the agency is asking for input from the public.

The lack of action means a plan to delegate management of the fishery to the federal government will head to the feds for approval — a plan fishermen and council members say could severely restrict the fishery.

Fishermen who use Skipper Science can log observations about what they see on the water. The app's creators hope it can also be a way to include more local voices in the fishing management process.