Summary

Description

The commercial fishery resource of the Kenai Peninsula has an average annual value of 3,611,000. In addition, a sport fishery of considerable importance exists in the area. Since the sport catch ordinarily is not sold in the commercial market, no evaluation comparable to that given for the commercial fishery is available for the sport fishery. Although the sport fishery does not approach the value of the commercial fish as an economic necessity, the importance of this fishery is indicated by the fact that an estimated 20,450 fishermen spent about 83,000 days engaged in this pursuit during 1955, and spent about 1,389,000 for equipment, lodging, transportation and other items in connection with their fishing trips. When it is remembered that this wealth is a result of a renewable resource, its continuing value must be clearly and objectively evaluated in connection with any other resource development program.