Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association
The Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association, KPFA – is one of the largest trade organizations of its type in Alaska. Their 300 plus members are primarily setnetters, but also include drifters and seiners who fish in Cook Inlet. On some sites, four generations of families participate together in this fishery. They represent an industry where 84% of the participants are Alaskan residents, 56% of whom reside on the Kenai Peninsula year round. The primary species harvested in Cook Inlet, by an overwhelming margin, is Sockeye Salmon.
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association is involved in a broad range of fisheries and environmental issues. They represent the interests of commercial fishermen before the Alaska Board of Fisheries, North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and have played a major role keeping their fishery biologically and economically sound.
KPFA’s main goal is Ensuring the Sustainability of our Fishery Resource. We strive to be fair and accessible to all fisheries gear types and areas within Cook Inlet waters. A non-profit association, we are operating under the rules governing a trade association. Primarily a set-net representation organization, we do not restrict membership to any one gear type. KPFA is actively involved with the community groups. We believe the primary focus of revitalization should take into consideration the social, historical and economic concerns of the regional commercial fishing families.
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association actively participate in a variety of organizations to promote and protect their industry, including the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, the Cook Inlet Regional Planning Team, Fish & Game Advisory Committees, the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board, Cook Inlet Regional Citizen’s Advisory Council, Beluga Recovery Team, and the United Fishermen’s Association.
