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The board approved the proposal 5-1 at its meeting. Board member Don Etheridge voted against the motion. Board members Budd Simpson and Jeff White were absent.

Board member Greg Fisk said fishermen have made great contributions to the city by generating millions of dollars.

"Fishermen have been subsidizing other harbor users," Fisk said. "This is a small payback."

The discount applies to local commercial vessels that have moorage assignments in downtown harbors only. The fishermen must register with Statter Harbor office before arrival and produce fish tickets every time they return to the docks.

The launch fee will rise from $35 to $50 on July 1.

Jim Preston said he supported the proposal because the city has had a long tradition of providing discounts for seniors. Juneau seniors can ride city buses for free and are exempt from paying sales tax. He said the city would have tight control over who is eligible.

Resident Phillip Gray, 67, said he supported discounts for seniors.

"Some seniors gave up launching their skiffs because it was too expensive," Gray said. "Some seniors don't have an awful lot of money."

Etheridge said giving seniors discounts is a good idea but he doesn't think Docks and Harbors can afford it.

"We have just gone through increases of harbor fees. Harbors are still underfunded," Etheridge said. "This will just dump the burden back to the rest of harbor users."

• I-Chun Che can be reached at ichun.che@juneauempire.com.