Central Kenai Peninsula Commercial Fishing Study

Commercial salmon fishing has long been an important part of the Kenai economy. It has taken on added importance in the past three years, partly because the emphasis is shifting away from Alaska's oil economy, and partly because of record catches and record gross values. The city of Kenai has been searching for ways to assist the continued development of this industry, such as the development of a dock and other support facilities. The goal of this study was to examine the economic impact of commercial fishing on the city of Kenai. Early in the planning phase it was recognized that it would not be meaningful to examine the impact of commercial fishing on just the city of Kenai. The fisheries and the infrastructure that support them are regional; thus the study area takes in the central Kenai Peninsula from Ninilchik north and from Cook Inlet to Sterling.