Sea state within the inlet is a factor of tidal currents and wind 

 rather than storm tracts and sea currents. The area has some of the 

 fastest tidal currents and most extreme tides in the world. Seas can 

 often be steep and rough when currents run opposite the wind. 



King and tanner crab are abundant in lower Cook Inlet with major 

 concentrations approximately midway between Augustine Island and the 

 Barren Islands (Fig. 5). The dungeness crab also inhabits the area. 

 Five species of shrimp are commercially abundant with largest concentra- 

 tions found in Kachemak Bay and midway between Augustine Island and the 

 Barren Islands. Scallops also are found in the same waters in midinlet. 

 Halibut inhabit the lower inlet from May through August , and all five 

 species of Pacific salmon utilize streams entering Cook Inlet for 

 spawning. Major sockeye salmon spawning systems are the Kenai-Russion, 

 Kasilof, Susitna Rivers and Fish Creek. 



Approximately 105 species of birds have been observed in Cook Inlet 

 and along the shores. Most abundant are fulmars, scoters, eiders, 

 black-legged kittiwakes, tufted puffins, glaucous-winged gulls and 

 common murres. Several species of marine mammals also inhabit the inlet 

 including sea otters, seals, steller sea lions, killer whales, porpoises 

 and beluga whales. 



The Cook Inlet region has Alaska's most diversified and developed 

 economy. Anchorage, at the head of the inlet, is the government, military 

 and economic center of Alaska. Homer, Kenai and Soldotna are important 

 subregional centers of population and commerce and have large non-Native 

 populations (Fig. 2). Kenai is an important industrial center based 

 on Cook Inlet oil and gas. Port Graham, Seldovia, English Bay, Ninilchik 



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