Reaction to setnet ruling

Two industry groups are applauding the Alaska Supreme Court opinion blocking a proposed statewide vote on banning commercial setnets in Cook Inlet and elsewhere.

Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association press release

Resources for All Alaskans press release

Setnetters win

The Alaska Supreme Court, in an opinion issued today, struck down a proposed ballot initiative to ban commercial setnets in certain areas of the state including Cook Inlet.

'We are saddened'

Cook Inlet fishermen respond to the court order on a proposed ballot initiative to ban setnets.

Anti-setnet initiative revived

A judge has issued an order reversing Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell's rejection of a proposed ballot initiative to ban commercial setnets in Cook Inlet and elsewhere.

It means Alaska voters could have a chance to vote on the ban, which supporters believe is necessary to protect king salmon.

Assistant Attorney General Lance Nelson tells Deckboss: "The state will go through its normal evaluation process before deciding whether to appeal the ruling."

Effort to ban setnets is now a court case

Backers of a proposed ballot initiative to ban commercial setnets in Cook Inlet and elsewhere have sued Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell over his rejection of the measure.

The lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court at Anchorage, argues Treadwell relied on an "erroneous legal opinion" from the attorney general in rejecting the initiative.

Here's a press release from the Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance, which filed the suit.

Initiative to ban setnets rejected

Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell today rejected a proposed ballot initiative to ban setnets in Cook Inlet and other areas of Alaska.

Treadwell took the action based on a state legal opinion calling the initiative unconstitutional.

More details here.

'Theatrics and political games'

United Fishermen of Alaska, the state's top commercial fishing organization, calls the proposed voter initiative to ban setnets "a staggering social and economic assault on Alaska's seafood industry."

Read more here.