Aquatic invasive species were the topic of last week’s Kenai Classic Roundtable on sportfishing policy.
The Aquatic Invasive Species Blue Ribbon Commission shared concerns and sought input on solutions from an audience of Alaska officials, including U.S. Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, as well as NOAA administrator Richard Spinrad.
The commission plans to complete a white paper and present findings to Congress and the Biden administration in 2023, with the goal of passing comprehensive legislation to better manage aquatic invasive species, commission sponsor Yamaha Rightwaters said in a statement.
“Aquatic invasive species are a growing and complex threat to fisheries and access,” said Martin Peters, division manager for external affairs at Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “This year’s roundtable gave the commission the opportunity to discuss the issues and propose solutions with decision makers. It’s our hope that this conversation and others like it will lead to comprehensive remedies for AIS.”
The commission is also supported by Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. The commission engages biologists, environmentalists, policy makers and resource managers to assess existing mitigation efforts and identify more effective eradication solutions.
The roundtable was held last week at the Kenai Peninsula College campus in Soldotna, Alaska. It is held in conjunction with the three-day Kenai River Classic invitational fishing event.
