Alaska Journal of Commerce

GUEST COMMENTARY: Time for Kenai-area community to cut its ties with KRSA

Last weekend the Alaska Legislature voted against the confirmation of Soldotna resident Robert Ruffner for a seat on the Board of Fisheries. Robert is well respected locally, in-state and nationally for his work on habitat and clean water issues and their relationship to providing good salmon rearing conditions.

He is also a resource user that participates in the sport and personal use fisheries. With his scientific background he was probably the best qualified applicant this position has seen in a long time.

So what went wrong? Kenai River Sportfishing Association, or KRSA, decided they would not be able to wield their power and influence over the Board of Fisheries process as well if Robert was a sitting member of the board.

So what were they so afraid of? Two major things; First, they understood Robert’s character and knew he had too much integrity to fall victim to their enticements or influence peddling.

Second, they cannot stand the thought of having someone on the board that has an in-depth knowledge about the Kenai River and offshore fishery issues. It would mean that they could no longer get by with providing a naïve board with false, misleading or cherry-picked data to win approval on important issues vital to successfully furthering their agenda.

So what is their agenda? Plain and simple, KRSA is a guide industry lobbying organization that has a single goal of eliminating commercial fishing in Cook Inlet so that the tourism and guide industries can prosper and they don’t care who they hurt along the way, whether it is a distinguished and well respected local candidate for the board or whether it is struggling commercial fishing families, the commercial fishing industry and associated local jobs or whether it is mom and pop private anglers that just want to spend an enjoyable day out fishing.

None of this matters to them if they perceive someone is not supportive of their agenda. Their involvement in the Ban Setnet Initiative, along with another Bob Penney sister organization, is another prime example of their allocative greed at the ultimate expense of some of our neighbors and friends.

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