The Kenai City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution asking the governor to designate the Upper Cook Inlet east‑side set‑net fishery as an area affected by an economic disaster, following testimony that the 2025 ex‑vessel value for the fishery fell by approximately 82%.

Lisa Gabriel, director at the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association, called into the meeting and described the association's tally of preliminary 2025 ex‑vessel value "just under 1,700,000," which she said represented an 82% loss of revenue to fishermen. She noted NOAA policy considers an 80% loss a threshold for disaster designation. "This year, the ex vessel value was just under 1,700,000... which is a total of an 82% loss of revenue to the fishermen," Gabriel said.

Council members and city staff discussed the broader economic impacts: the city manager and finance staff reported the city received nearly $78,000 in fiscal year 2025 from prior disaster declarations (2018 and 2020), underscoring municipal as well as fishing‑industry impacts. Multiple council members emphasized the number of families affected on the peninsula and the ripple effects on local businesses and services.

The council voted by roll call (six 'Yes' votes recorded after one member left the meeting) to adopt Resolution 2025‑72.

City officials said the resolution will support the fishermen's request to the governor and aim to advance recovery funding and planning for affected households and businesses.