AK SB158

Creates a new administrative area for commercial set net fishing on the east side of Cook Inlet, separating statistical areas 244-21, 244-22, 244-31, 244-32, 244-41, and 244-42 of the Upper Subdistrict from the broader Cook Inlet administrative area

Existing Cook Inlet set net permits will not automatically apply to the new area; permit holders must be reassigned by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission

Permit holders can qualify for reassignment to the new area by proving participation in the specified statistical areas within the five years preceding December 31, 2024, through documentation such as shore fisheries leases, area registrations, buoy tags, or fishing statistics

Permits acquired from immediate family members (spouse, cohabiting partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or in-laws) also qualify based on the family member's participation history

Appeals of commission decisions must be filed with superior court by March 1, 2026, with provisional permits issued during the appeal process; effective date is January 1, 2026