KRSA withdraws from Walker’s Cook Inlet Salmon Advisory Task Force
FishingGovernment June 6, 2018 Lee Leschper
By Lee Leschper
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) has announced it is withdrawing from a group Gov. Bill Walker formed outside normal fisheries management procedures, which some are suggesting may be an election year tactic to gather support for Walker in the suddenly crowded gubernatorial race.
The Cook Inlet Salmon Advisory Task Force (CISA) was created by Governor Walker, and members of the task force are chosen by him to identify and address fishery issues in Cook Inlet.
KRSA has participated in two introductory meetings to date with other representatives from user groups of Upper Cook Inlet.
The creation and purpose of the Cook Inlet Salmon Advisory Task Force does not follow the customary public process in which fishery conservation and allocation proposals are presented for consideration to the Legislature-confirmed Alaska Board of Fisheries.
“The CISA Task Force efforts could supersede this established process,” said Ricky Gease, KRSA Executive Director. “As KRSA is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization and we feel that the task force does not yet have a clear vision, problem statement or stated objectives, we have concerns that any outcomes could be viewed as being political. The best course of action for us now is to withdraw from this process. Perhaps if there is another task force impaneled through the Alaska Board of Fisheries next year, we will consider participation at that time.”
Republican challenger Mike Dunleavy has been vocal in saying he would shake up current fisheries management and provide more representation for sport fishermen on the Alaska Board of Fisheries, which sets fish management policy for the state.
About KRSA:
KRSA is a nonprofit, non-partisan fishery-conservation organization of Alaskans that works to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of fish resources in the Kenai River and elsewhere in Alaska through advocacy of sport and personal-use fisheries and the promotion of science-based fish management.
