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Home My WebLink About2013 - Koch - Upper Cook Inlet Task Force"I llaye with a Past Gity with a Future" 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794 Telephone: 907 - 283 -7535 / Fax: 907 - 283 -3014 www.ci.kenai.ak.us v March 8, 2013 FAX (907)465 -6094 3 ld M l0'•� P Monica Wellard, Executive Director Alaska Board of Fisheries PO Box 115526 Juneau, AK 99811 -5526 Subject: Recommendations of the Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Task Force Proposal 249 Dear Ms. Wellard: At the March 6, 2013 City of Kenai Council meeting, the Council directed the Mayor and City Manager to draft a letter of support for the final recommendations for Proposal 249 which were passed by the Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Task Force on February 14, 2013. The Task Force, consisting of stakeholders representing commercial, sport, subsistence, and personal use fisheries was a unique and wholly appropriate body to discuss and reach agreement on recommendations regarding Upper Cook Inlet King Salmon Issues. The City Council respectfully requests the consideration and adoption of Proposal 249 as recommended by the Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Task Force. The Council and residents of the Kenai Peninsula are appreciative of the efforts of the Task Force, and for the leadership demonstrated by the Board of Fisheries for its creation. Thank you for your, and the Alaska Board of Fisheries consideration of this request. Sincerely, CITY K AI Pat Porter Mayor cc: Governor Sean Parnell Senator Peter Micciche Speaker Mike Chenault Representative Kurt Olson Sincerely, �JO KE'I � c City Manager Ulmer Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Task Force Final Recommendations for Proposal 249 Febrasry 14.2013 SPECIAL NOTES: Upper Cook Inlet Task Force Website bZ://www adfe alaska qov /index cfin ?adfn— uciraskforce main This website will remain active until the Statewide Fin fzsh and Supplemental Issues Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) meeting begins on March 19, 2013. The comment page will serve as mechanism for dialogue only and will not be considered part of the official Board of Fisheries record. Comments about this recommendation or related issues may be submitted to the board via the public comment procedures outlined in the legal published notice for the 2012 -2013 board regulatory meetings posted at ht www.adfQ alaska gov/static/rerulat ions /rernrocess /Osheriesboardlndfs /2012 2013 /noh'ce11 -2 -12 ndf To be included in the books prepared for board members before the March 19 -24, 2013 meeting starts, comments must be received by March 5, 2013. Comments may be submitted later as record copies and will be part of the board's record for the March meeting. Any written public comments can be submitted via fax at (907) 465 -6094 or mailed to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Boards Support Section, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811 -5526 by the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Statewide Finf:sh and Supplemental Issue meeting comment deadline of March 5, 2013. (All Alaska Board of Fisheries public comment standards apply.) Inseason Mana¢ement If Run Is Proiected To Be At Low Return Levels • If by July 21 the late -run king salmon are projected to fall below the 15,000 sustainable escapement goal (SEG) take the following actions: (Note: No vote was taken on changing to the July 21.) 1) Make the SEG an optimal escapement goal (OEG) of 13,000 — 30,000 to allow some latitude for the department to assess uncertainties in run timing variability. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 5 in favor 4 against for OEG) 2) Restrict the inriver sport fishery to no bait. 3) Change the East side setnet fishery (ESSN) fishery to be managed by emergency order (EO) authority to harvest of sockeye salmon. Friday 36 -hour window will remain in place. (Consensus on number 3) Consensus to either: a. Pairing no bait in the sport fishery with halving all available hours for the ESSN depending upon tier. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 5 in favor, 4 against.) Or b. 36 -hour capon ESSN hours when restricted. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 4 in favor, 5 against) c. Should there be a pairing of restrictions when the river goes to catch and release for sport fishing. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 5 in favor, 4 against.) d. Pairing catch and release sport fishing with 12 -hour cap on ESSN hours. (Note: No vote.) e. Pairing catch and release sport fishing with 18 -hour cap on ESSN hours. (Note: No vote.) 4) Restrict the marine sport fishery north of Bluff Point to no bait. a. Change the no -bait boundary to be the South Anchor River conservation marker. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 6 in favor, 3 against.) 5) Close the personal use fishery to king salmon harvest. (Note: No discussion or vote on closing the PUfishery to retention of king salmon) • If the department projects that the OEG of 13,000 will not be met then all fisheries will close. (Note: No consensus on OEG) On August 1, the following actions will take place: 1) The inriver sport fishery will close by regulation. 2) The commercial fishery will revert back to regular management plan with department oversight to ensure late -run king salmon escapements will be met. a. Amend No. 2 to include reverting back to regular management plan. (Note: No consensus. Task Force voted 5 in favor, 4 against.) • If at anytime prior to August I, the department's assessments project an escapement greater than 15,000 SEG, restrictions shall end. (Note: Consensus on this point of the plan as written) Sunset after 2013 Season • All task force members agreed that any provisions adopted as Proposal 249 will sunset after the 2013 season so that new ideas will be considered at the 2014 regular Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Meeting.