Soldotna, AK — Aug. 21, 2024—The annual Kenai Classic Roundtable brought together experts to explore key challenges and opportunities facing Alaska’s fisheries. The dialogue centered on three critical topics: The ongoing battle against marine debris, the status of Chinook salmon populations, and the impact of the Marine Mammal Protection Act on salmon recovery efforts. Experts from diverse backgrounds came together to discuss these issues as well as frameworks and solutions for maintaining the health and preservation of Alaska’s fisheries.
Watch the full Roundtable discussion on the KRSA YouTube page, and read on for highlights below.
The Growing Concern of Marine Debris
The roundtable opened with a deep dive into the issue of marine debris, a pervasive problem affecting Alaska’s coastal ecosystems. Panelists, including National Marine Sanctuary Foundation President Joel Johnson, Marine Debris Foundation Executive Director Susan Sherman and Dow Senior Sustainability Director Carrie Houtman, highlighted the detrimental impact of debris on the fishing industry and the need for collective action.
“The private sector is innovative, it’s technologically savvy, and there’s different financing schemes that they can leverage that the federal government just can’t,” said Sherman, pointing to some of the different stakeholders in the issue of marine debris. The conversation focused on the ongoing challenges in debris removal.
“Removal is very important, and we do it continually. But as soon as you take it out, there’s more to be taken out,” said Sherman. Houtman voiced a similar sentiment, “The time to take action is yesterday, but the next best time to take action is today.”
Houtman brought her expertise with Dow and its involvement in marine debris solutions, emphasizing the importance of responsible plastic use, partnerships with diverse organizations and a focus on progress over perfection.
The conversation concluded with a focus on long-term success through community engagement and education. As more people take these ideas back to their communities and organizations, a new generation of environmental stewards emerges. “We know any kind of big social change, paradigm shift, has to start young,” said Sherman.
Why Chinook Salmon Should Not be Considered Endangered
The conversation shifted to the status of Chinook salmon and its potential listing as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Wild Fish Conservancy’s petition, which seeks to list all Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon as endangered, has raised significant concerns across the state.
This petition, covering a vast area from Ketchikan to beyond Dutch Harbor, could result in a shift in fisheries management from state to federal control. The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a positive 90-day finding in May, indicating that the petition provided substantial information to consider an ESA listing, thus initiating a 12-month status review and a public comment period.
Dani Evenson, a policy advisor with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, emphasized that the State of Alaska does not support listing Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the ESA, arguing that these stocks are not critically imperiled. She explained that Alaska manages salmon stocks based on the sustained yield principle and that the escapement goals cited in the petition are intended to maintain sustainable yields, not to signal extinction risk. She expressed concerns about the potential federal management of these stocks if they were listed, which could lead to regulatory complexities, added costs and delays in projects. The petition is unifying various stakeholders in Alaska against what is seen as an outside attack on their fisheries and way of life.
“There are a lot of comments in the public record from Northwest Indian Fish Commission, from tribal comments, from Tlingit and Haida, from Alaska Environmental Group, from fishing groups that also don’t believe this is reasonable,” Evenson shared. She made it clear too that ADF&G is not opposed to the ESA, but rather supports its use for species that are truly at risk of extinction in the immediate future.
“Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon are not imperiled, much less critically or chronically imperiled. The state of Alaska does not believe that the ESA is the correct tool to address a downturn in Chinook abundance,” Evenson said.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act and Salmon Recovery
The final topic of discussion was the impact of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) on salmon recovery efforts. The panelists included Deputy General Counsel for Calista Corporation Curt Chamberlain, American Sportfishing Association Pacific Fisheries Policy Advisor Larry Phillips and NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator for Alaska Jon Kurland. They acknowledged the importance of protecting marine mammals while also addressing concerns about the unintended effects of the MMPA on salmon populations.
“One of the first things we looked at was the bioethics of this undertaking. And our first demand, and first requirement was do no harm. The first thing we want to do is, we want to make sure that we are not overharvesting any animals to a point that may undermine the purposes of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and also balance that against the need of protecting certain species within the Kenai River,” said Chamberlain.
The discussion highlighted the need for adaptive management approaches that consider both the needs of marine mammals and the health of salmon populations.
“We must find a way to harmonize the goals of the MMPA with the urgent need to recover salmon stocks,” a participant remarked, calling for a review of current policies to ensure they are aligned with the realities of Alaska’s ecosystems.
The roundtable discussion provided valuable insights into some of the most pressing issues facing Alaska’s fisheries today. From the threat of marine debris to the debate over Chinook salmon and the complexities of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the conversation underscored the need for balanced, informed and collaborative approaches to conservation.
As KRSA continues its work, these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Alaska’s fishing industry and the preservation of its natural resources.
