03/01/1995 05:03 PM House FSH

 HFSH - 03/01/95                                                               
 HJR 25 - BAN TRAWLING IN EASTERN GULF OF ALASKA                             
                                                                               
 Number 376                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BEN GRUSSENDORF gave the committee a brief outline             
 on a similar resolution passed a few years ago, to encourage the              
 North Pacific Fisheries Management Council to consider the                    
 uniqueness of the area of 140 degrees, East, from Yakutat on down.            
 He further explained what would happen if we continue to allow                
 trawling in this area.  He indicated that he had submitted a                  
 sponsor substitute that clarifies the rockfish issue itself.                  
                                                                               
 Number 437                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON moved to place the sponsor substitute before             
 the committee.                                                                
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN, hearing no objection, indicated that the                  
 sponsor substitute for HJR 25 is before the committee.                        
                                                                               
 Number 448                                                                    
                                                                               
 MARK KANDIANIS testified via teleconference from Kodiak, indicating           
 that there was some merit in protecting that area for the                     
 longliners.  There have been impacts of heavy trawl fishing in that           
 area according to Mr. Kandianis.                                              
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN noted that the resolution, if passed, will go on           
 to the House Resources Committee.  He suggested that Mr. Kandianis            
 contact Representative Grussendorf's office with any further                  
 concerns.                                                                     
                                                                               
 MR. KANDIANIS thanked the committee and indicated a willingness to            
 follow this resolution.                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 489                                                                    
                                                                               
 PAGE ELSE testified via teleconference from Sitka, in support of              
 HJR 25 to protect the habitat and resources of the prescribed area.           
                                                                               
 Number 507                                                                    
                                                                               
 LINDA BEHNKEN testified via teleconference from Sitka, on behalf of           
 the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association in support of HJR 25.             
                                                                               
 Number 538                                                                    
                                                                               
 CLAIRE JOHNSON testified via teleconference from Sitka, indicating            
 that 25 members of the Friends of Southeast Future voted in favor             
 of supporting HJR 25.                                                         
                                                                               
 Number 550                                                                    
                                                                               
 DAN FALVEY testified via teleconference from Sitka, in support of             
 HJR 25.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 582                                                                    
                                                                               
 BETSY KNUTSON testified via teleconference from Sitka, in support             
 of HJR 25.  She asserted, "A few factory trawlers have the                    
 potential of destroying our livelihood, damaging the economics of             
 the coastal communities and the destruction of a unique way of life           
 in Southeast Alaska."                                                         
                                                                               
 Number 592                                                                    
                                                                               
 CAROLYN NICHOLS testified via teleconference from Sitka, in support           
 of HJR 25.  She indicated that the open line fishery has been                 
 closed in the past because of the trawler bycatch exceeding its               
 limit.                                                                        
                                                                               
 Number 609                                                                    
                                                                               
 STEVE FISH testified via teleconference from Sitka, in support of             
 HJR 25.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 625                                                                    
                                                                               
 MIM ROBINSON, Chairman, Port Alexander Fish and Game Advisory                 
 Committee (PAF&GAC), testified via teleconference from Port                   
 Alexander, in support of HJR 25.                                              
                                                                               
 Number 640                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON motioned to move SSHJR 25 out of committee               
 with individual recommendations.                                              
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN, upon hearing no objections, moved SSHJR 25 out            
 of the House Special Committee on Fisheries, with individual                  
 recommendations.