Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association (KPFA)

08/23/2026

Honoring Kenny Coleman and his 50 Years of Service to the Eastside Setnet Fishery.

“Today, it is my privilege to recognize a man who has spent his entire life working to make Alaska, and especially the Kenai Peninsula, a better place for the people around him — Kenny Coleman.

Kenny was born in Kodiak and has lived his entire life in Alaska. His working career began in 1968 in Amchitka, Alaska, working with Teamsters Local 959. Over the years, he worked his way through the union and ultimately served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Teamsters when he retired in 2011.

But Kenny had another passion that became a huge part of his life — commercial fishing.

He started fishing in the summers of 1969 and 1970 on the north end of Kalgin Island. He continued fishing sporadically on the Eastside until 1976, when he fished the entire season on North K Beach. In 1979, Kenny bought his own permit, and from that point forward, he fished the Eastside every year.

For many of those years, Kenny wasn’t fishing alone. He fished alongside his wife and sons, making the Eastside setnet fishery a family affair. Generation after generation, they worked together, shared the long days, the hard work, and everything that comes with making a living on the beach. Those years on the Eastside created not only a fishing operation, but memories and a family tradition that will last for years to come.

And Kenny’s fishing adventures didn’t stop there. In the 1980s, he also fished for herring in Kamishak Bay and made two trips to Togiak. Those Togiak trips were, as Kenny would probably tell you, always an adventure.

But Kenny was much more than a fisherman. He was a fighter for the people and the industry he loved.

He served for decades on the board of directors of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association and served as both its vice president and president. When the Eastside setnet fishery suffered devastating losses because of king salmon conservation measures, Kenny stepped up.

He personally gathered the information, put the numbers together, and worked through the federal disaster applications for the 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 fisheries. Those disasters have all been approved, and payments are now expected in the near future.

Kenny also recognized that the Eastside fishery needed a long-term solution. He was a driving force behind efforts to establish the Cook Inlet Revitalization Association, with the goal of reducing permits and gear on the Eastside. When that effort evolved, Kenny helped form the Eastside Consolidation Association, continuing the work toward consolidation and a more sustainable future for Eastside setnet fishermen.

That tells you a lot about Kenny Coleman.

He didn’t just look out for himself. He fought for his neighbors, his fellow fishermen, his community, and even for people he had never met.

Kenny spent his working life helping make other people’s lives better. Whether it was through his work with the Teamsters, his dedication to commercial fishing, or his tireless efforts on behalf of Eastside setnet fishermen, he has always been willing to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

This buoy pull banner is only a small sample of what Kenny has given to our community.

So today, at Industry Appreciation Day, it is especially fitting that we take a moment to recognize Kenny Coleman and thank him for a lifetime of service, leadership, and fighting for the Eastside setnet fishery and the people who depend on it.

Kenny, thank you for everything you have done — and continue to do — for the Kenai Peninsula.”

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

Another ✨️ Dock the Vote ✨️ SPOTLIGHT🔦

Meet Brian and Lisa Gabriel! Brian and Lisa Gabriel have something to say about the 2026 Primary Election.

“For nearly 40 years, we’ve owned and operated our setnet sites on the east side of Upper Cook Inlet, making our living on the water while advocating for our commercial fishery. That advocacy has given us firsthand insight into how state decisions affect commercial fishermen, their families, and our coastal communities.

Today, we’re speaking to commercial fishermen throughout Alaska, in every commercial fishery. Decisions made in Juneau affect our fishing permits, access, opportunity, livelihoods, families, and coastal communities.

This election matters. Our next governor will appoint members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries and commissioners leading the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, and Department of Natural Resources. These appointments will shape Alaska’s commercial fisheries for generations.

Get to know the candidates, know where they stand on commercial fishing, and get involved before decisions are made.

Alaska’s commercial fishing heritage is centuries old, carried forward by generations of fishermen, families, and coastal communities whose lives have been built around Alaska’s waters.

Have a plan—vote in the August 18 Primary Election.

Our Voice. Our History. Our Future.

Let them know we are here.
Let them know our history matters.
Let them know our future matters.
Vote—and they will remember us.
Alaska’s future commercial fisheries depend on it.”

Brian and Lisa understand why this election matters so much. Be like Lisa and Brian.

🔗 in bio

08/14/2026

08/06/2026

Join us at Industry Appreciation Day, Saturday, August 22nd, Noon to 4pm.

🎉 Join us as we celebrate Industry Appreciation Day on August 22! 🎉

This free community event is an opportunity to recognize and thank the industries that help keep our communities strong and our economy moving forward. Together, we'll honor the hardworking individuals and businesses in healthcare, commercial fishing, tourism, and oil and gas.

Come out and celebrate the people, innovation, and dedication that make these industries such an important part of our borough. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors—there's something for everyone!

Booth Sign Up Link: https://cpgh.jotform.com/261656435879170

Award Nomination Link: https://cpgh.jotform.com/261656738035160

08/04/2026

Meet your KPFA President, Dan Norman.

I want to start by thanking you for the trust you’ve placed in me as your new president. I don’t take it lightly, and I want you to know a bit about where I come from before we get to work.

I first came to Alaska when I was 8 years old, working on my uncle’s halibut boat. That summer changed the course of my life. I fell in love with this state and with fishing, and I never really left. By 18 I’d earned my Coast Guard license and was running my own boat. I left that all behind in 2001 when I enlisted in the Army.

I married Carrie Hollier in 2007, and 2008 was my first season set netting on the beaches of North K-Beach. While my time is short compared to many in this fleet, I’ve watched this fishery from those early years to where it stands today. Like many of you, that’s brought me both pride and real frustration.

I have three kids, Jayden, 16, Troy, 15, and Carmen, 10. They are fourth-generation set netters. That kind of family history, the work ethic it builds, is something worth fighting to protect.

Several years ago I made a move to fish in Bristol Bay, but Soldotna is home, and my family’s future is on the beaches of Kenai.

Before fishing became my full-time livelihood, I spent 24 years in the Army, retiring as a Major. My first barracks room was across the street from the Pentagon on Sept 11, 2001. I quickly went from a kid looking for college money to deeply committed to our national security and going overseas to war. I served in every role the Infantry has to offer and eventually commanded reconnaissance units and Army Rangers. I was wounded in combat and carry that with me as a disabled veteran. I’m telling you this not to draw attention to myself, but because I want you to know I’m used to hard fights, and I’m ready for the fight to get our fleet back on the water. The 2027 Board of Fisheries meeting will be here before we know it.

I’m committed to finding real solutions for this fishery, and I want to hear from every one of you along the way. We won’t always agree, and that’s fine — disagreement isn’t disloyalty. Your board was nominated by the members and elected at the annual meeting to be the voice of the fleet, and we’ll do our best to represent the majority, knowing full well that 100% consensus is rarely, if ever, possible. What matters most now is that once KPFA takes a position, we stand behind it together. We’re up against a juggernaut of an organization with far more size, funding, and connections than we have. The only way we’ve ever lost ground is by being divided against ourselves. That has to end. Unified, we have a real shot. Divided, we don’t.

I’m honored to serve alongside each of you.

08/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Membership Meeting. We had an excellent turnout and a productive afternoon of discussion about the future of the East Side Setnet fishery.

One of the highlights of the meeting was hearing directly from several candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senate, and State House, as well as Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche. Members had the opportunity to ask questions about fisheries management, the Board of Fisheries, Board appointments, disaster relief, commercial fishing policy, and the future of Cook Inlet. We appreciate everyone who took the time to meet with our membership and engage in thoughtful discussion.

The board also provided updates on several important issues affecting our fishery.

Disaster Relief: We reviewed the status of fisheries disaster funding for 2021 through 2025. Funding for the 2021–2022 disasters has been approved by Congress, with applications expected to open later this year. Members were also encouraged to submit comments on the draft 2023 spend plan before the August 14th deadline, and we will continue pursuing disaster declarations for subsequent years as needed.

2027 Board of Fisheries Meeting: Preparations are already underway for the March 2027 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries meeting. KPFA will continue developing proposals, reviewing submitted proposals, and advocating for management decisions that restore meaningful fishing opportunity while protecting the long-term sustainability of the resource.

East Side Setnet Administrative Area: Members received an update on implementation of HB 117, which establishes the East Side Setnet fishery as its own administrative area. While much of the implementation work now rests with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, this represents an important milestone that will provide greater local representation and opportunities for future self-determination.

Member Communications: Members shared valuable feedback regarding communication between the board and the membership. The board agreed that we can do a better job keeping members informed and will work toward providing more regular updates, including meeting summaries and improved notification of meetings and opportunities for participation.

The meeting also included a healthy discussion about current fisheries management challenges, including Board of Fisheries actions, shore fishery lease issues, beach seine proposals, and the long-term future of the East Side fishery. While members expressed differing opinions on some topics, there was broad agreement that preserving and restoring the traditional East Side setnet fishery remains our shared goal.

Finally, the membership elected the following individuals to the KPFA Board of Directors:

Eric Nyce — two-year term
Sarah Frostad-Hudkins — two-year term
Dan Norman — two-year term,
Greg Johnson — one-year term, vacant seat
Andy Hall — Alternate Director

Following the membership election, the board selected its officers:

Dan Norman — President
Sarah Hudkins — Vice President
Lisa Gabriel — Secretary & Treasurer

Congratulations to our newly elected board members and officers, and thank you to everyone who volunteered to serve.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many volunteers who continue to donate countless hours advocating for our fishery.

The months ahead will be important as we prepare for the next Board of Fisheries cycle, continue work on disaster relief, and advocate for policies that restore opportunity to East Side setnet fishermen. We encourage all members to stay engaged, participate in upcoming discussions, and share your ideas as we move forward together.

Thank you for your continued support of KPFA.

08/01/2026

All paid members are invited:

Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association 2026 Annual Meeting
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: Cook Inlet Aquaculture
40610 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Kenai

*Membership dues may be paid with the following link or at the meeting by check or Cash or by mail to the KPFA office at 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite F, Soldotna, AK 99669.*

The Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association (KPFA) has been a commercial fishing advocacy group since 1954, primarily comprised of setnet salmon limited entry permit holders. KPFA is a 501c(6) commercial fishing advocacy group. We also include other Cook Inlet gear types, crewmembers, fish proce....

04/22/2026

Governor Appoints Three to Alaska Board of Fish While State Legislators Express Escalating Concern Seafood News

04/17/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday the creation of its new Office of Seafood, a first-of-its-kind office designed to give commercial fishermen, aquaculture producers, and seafood processors a clearer path to accessing federal programs and resources.