Public Notice for Shorefish Leasing Program Determination on Beach Seine Gear and Rent Waiver for Upper Cook Inlet

Tools

• Print
• Short URL

Share

Public Notice for Shorefish Leasing Program Determination on Beach Seine Gear and Rent Waiver for Upper Cook Inlet

RE: Shorefish Leasing Program Determination on Beach Seine Gear and Rent Waiver for Upper Cook Inlet Management Area, Upper Subdistrict

Dear Shore Fishery Lessee:

On May 1, 2026, the Board of Fish approved Proposal 192, amending 5 AAC 21.382 to effectively replace the commercial set gillnet fishing opportunity with beach seine gear during times of king salmon conservation. After careful review of the applicable statutes and regulations, the Shorefish Leasing Program has made a determination that leaseholders of sites with beach access are not granted priority right when operating beach seine gear. Per AS 38.05.082, a shorefish lease only grants a priority right for set gillnet gear. Alternate gear types, such as dip nets and beach seine nets are not covered under the authority of the Shorefish Leasing Program.

Regarding the rent waiver, on May 12, 2026, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game released an advisory that the Upper Subdistrict, consisting of the Kasilof, Kenai, and East Foreland Sections, will be closed to setnetting for the entire season of 2026:

Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery: The east side setnet fishery (ESSN) fishery will begin closed (EO # 2-F-H-2-26). At the special Board of Fish (BOF) meeting on May 1, 2026, set gillnet opportunity was removed and replaced with set beach seine gear as an alternative gear type to S04H permit holders in the Upper Subdistrict under the Kenai River late-run king salmon stock of concern management plan (KLKSOC). Under these new regulations there is no avenue for opening the set gillnet fishery in 2026. Use of beach seine gear this year will be dependent upon required CFEC action.

Shore Fishery Regulation 11 AAC 64.220 allows for a waiver of annual rent. It provides:

11 AAC 64.220 Hardship Clause; Waiver of Rental

The director will, in his or her discretion, waive the annual rental in the case of substantial injury, illness, call to military service, or legal closure of the fishery.

The Upper Subdistrict meets the legal closure criterion of this regulation. Therefore, those lessees are entitled to a rent waiver. Historically, we could not make a decision on the rent waiver until the season concluded, but in this case, the advisory from Alaska Department of Fish and Game on May 12, 2026, allows us to determine the waiver early. Therefore, lessees who wish to apply for a rent waiver must do so in writing by August 22, 2026. An "application" may be as simple as an email or letter with your name and ADL number. The application should be sent to the above address or email listed below. If you have already submitted your 2026 lease payment, it will be refunded or applied to 2027's rent. Please specify in your request if you would prefer a refund or a rollover.

Please reach out to the Shore Fish Leasing Program staff for the status of your account.

If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Wolfe by phone at 907-269-8545 or email [email protected].

Details