2016 Kenai Classic Roundtable Addresses Alternative Fishery Management Solutions

September 15, 2016

Soldotna, Alaska, Sept. 15, 2016 – The fourth Annual Kenai Classic Roundtable on National Recreational Fishing brought together leaders from all segments of the recreational fishing community. The panelists recently gathered at Kenai Peninsula College to examine alternative solutions for current federal fishery management issues. They discussed innovative strategies for the management of mixed-use fisheries, and ultimately put forward solutions that could be beneficial to all fishery stakeholders.

The 2016 Round table supported the Center’s campaign “Let America Fish,” which is working to ensure fair and reasonable access to America’s marine fisheries.

“The recreational fishing community prepared for this year’s Roundtable in Kenai by assembling solutions for the complex problems of fisheries management,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation and one of the presenters of the Roundtable. “The solutions presented may be beneficial for the recreational users and neutral or beneficial for other user groups. To solve fisheries problems, we must all work together.”

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, participated with the panel that focused on providing solutions that could benefit all fishery stakeholder groups. The panel put forward a wide variety of management strategies that have proven track records of success in inland and coastal fisheries. The panel also highlighted the growth of the recreational fishing coalition and the coalition’s desire to provide solutions for today’s key fishery issues. Other panelists included:

  • Mike Nussman, President & CEO, American Sportfishing Association
  • Chris Horton, Fisheries Program Director and Midwest States Director, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
  • Jim Martin, West Coast Director, Recreational Fishing Alliance
  • Andy Mezirow, Member, North Pacific Fishery Management Council and Owner, Crackerjack Sportfishing
  • Ricky Gease, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing Association

“When we talk about management, it’s not just managing for one sector; it is making sure that from the commercial side, from the sport side, from the subsistence side, that we manage in a way that allows for the opportunities for all Alaskans,” said Senator Murkowski.

Over the coming months, the recreational fishing community plans to build upon the vision put forward at the 2016 Kenai Classic Roundtable. The panelists indicated that the coalition would pursue implementation of the alternative management strategies discussed, both inside and outside of the context of the rewrite of the Magnuson-Steven Act (MSA), the nation’s primary law governing saltwater fishery management. The Roundtable also felt that the ideas put forward show the recreational fishing community’s willingness to work with legislators throughout the MSA reauthorization process.

To view the full-length video of the Roundtable, please visit https://player.vimeo.com/video/179961893, and to read a transcript of the Roundtable, please visit http://www.krsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-Kenai-Classic-Roundtable_Transcript1.pdf. For more information, email info@KRSA.com.

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The Center for Coastal Conservation maximizes opportunity for saltwater recreational anglers by organizing, focusing and engaging recreational fishing stakeholders to speak with one voice to shape federal marine fisheries management policy. Visit www.CoastalConservation.US


Contact:
Lauren Tucker
Center for Coastal Conservation
O: 225-382-3754
C: 225-385-0294
lauren@coastalconservation.us