Alaska News

Lawmakers send letter protesting new Kenai setnet fishery

JUNEAU -- Two Alaska state senators have sent a letter protesting a new fishery on the Kenai River.

Sens. Mike Dunleavy and Peter Micciche sent a joint letter to the Federal Subsistence Board asking for reconsideration of a recent decision to allow a subsistence gillnet in the Kenai River.

The board voted in January to allow the Ninilchik Tribal Council to use a setnet in the federal subsistence fishery on the Kenai River. Residents of certain rural Kenai Peninsula communities, including Cooper Landing, are also eligible to apply to use a setnet there.

The fishery targets red salmon, but king salmon and other species also could be caught in the nets.

Rep. Les Gara wrote a letter to the board last month asking for reconsideration.

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