Legislature(2007 - 2008)BARNES 124
01/16/2008 08:30 AM House FISHERIES
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| Start | |
| Overview: Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Divisions of Sport Fish, and Commercial Fisheries | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
January 16, 2008
8:40 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Kyle Johansen
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Lindsey Holmes
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bill Thomas
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME, DIVISIONS OF SPORT
FISH AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
- HEARD
OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME, DIVISION OF
SUBSISTENCE
- HEARING POSTPONED [Rescheduled for January 21, 2008]
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN HILSINGER, Director
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview/presentation of the
division's non-salmon, statewide activities.
CHARLES SWANTON, Director
Davison of Sport Fish
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview/presentation of the
division's statewide activities.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 8:40:56 AM. Representatives
Seaton, Johnson, Johansen, and Edgmon were present at the call
to order. Representatives Wilson and Holmes arrived as the
meeting was in progress. Also in attendance was Representative
Thomas.
^OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME, DIVISIONS OF SPORT
FISH, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
8:41:43 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
an overview/presentation from the Division of Commercial
Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
JOHN HILSINGER, Director, Division of Commercial Fisheries,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, presented an update on the
state's non-salmon commercial fisheries. This includes the
harvest of shellfish, groundfish, herring, and mariculture. The
division's responsibilities for managing these species were
bulleted in slide 2: manage commercial, personal use, and
subsistence fisheries within state waters; manage shellfish
species and some groundfish out to 200 miles; conduct stock
assessment and applied research on marine resources; plan and
permit shellfish hatcheries and mariculture operations; and
coordinate with Federal and International Fisheries Management
Agencies. Slide 3 illustrated the four fishery management
regions, which provide harvest areas for marine species: AYK
[Arctic, Yukon, Kuskokwim]; Westward; Central; and Southeast.
8:44:57 AM
MR. HILSINGER explained the Exvessel Value of Alaska's
Commercial Fisheries, slide 4, as adjusted to constant 1977
dollars, including state and federal water harvests, and
delineating groundfish, herring, halibut, shellfish, and salmon.
He discussed the trends indicated by the graph.
CHAIR SEATON requested the generation of a similar graph
restricted to state water vs. non-state water species.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for a similar graph of species
valuation using 2007 dollars.
8:46:46 AM
MR. HILSINGER referred to slides 5, 6, and 7, illustrating the
harvest areas for scallops, crab varieties, and shrimp. The
total exvessel value of the state managed, 2007 shellfish
fishery, totaled $132 million. As indicated on slide 8, the
approximate contribution to this total, by species, is comprised
of: king crab at $58 million, tanner and snow crab at $50
million, Dungeness crab at $11 million, shrimp at $2.6 million,
scallops at $3 million, sea cucumbers at $3 million, and
geoducks at $2.5 million.
CHAIR SEATON asked whether the geoduck total is the commercial
harvest, or also includes the mariculture total.
MR. HILSINGER replied that it is only the commercial harvest.
To follow-up questions he clarified that the $2.6 million shrimp
contribution is the pot shrimp fishery. There is a small
contribution associated with the southeast trawl fishery for
pink shrimp; near Sitka.
MR. HILSINGER continued with slide 9 to describe the groundfish
management activities. Many of the groundfish species, outside
of three miles, are managed by the federal government. Inside
three miles, the state takes up the management activities.
These species are primarily varieties of cod and rock fish. The
fisheries outside of three miles, under state management,
include all species of ground fish in southeast Alaska, and some
varieties of rock fish. The 2007 groundfish harvest value
totaled approximately $24 million. He pointed out that the
major harvests were the southeast sablefish, at $6 million, and
the Pacific cod harvests in the other regions.
CHAIR SEATON asked if the cod fisheries occur in state waters.
MR. HILSINGER replied that he has only indicated the state catch
in this report; federal water catch information will be made
available.
8:53:12 AM
MR. HILSINGER presented slide 12 and discussed the disparity in
the herring distribution. Some of the states fisheries are
extremely healthy, while others provide no participation levels.
There is no apparently, consistent, geographic pattern to this
stocks fluctuation.
8:54:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS, Alaska State Legislature, pointed
out the efforts to create a herring fishery in the Berner's Bay
area [southeast region], and asked whether the committee is able
to be of help establish that fishery.
8:55:21 AM
MR. HILSINGER suggested that the herring be brought as a
separate topic for discussion.
CHAIR SEATON noted that slide 12 indicated herring openings,
which for market reasons were not participated in by the fleet.
MR. HILSINGER stated that, in addition to the lack of
participation, several of the areas that were fished were
harvested below catch levels. This was due to low vessel
participation, based on the processors needs. Also, the herring
prices were down; Togiak herring averaged $110 per ton. With
slide 13, he indicated the areas of the mariculture program, and
reported that the value has been growing for farmed oysters,
geoducks, and other species. The department has been focusing
on the core services, listed on slide 16: stock assessment and
applied research; harvest management; laboratory services;
aquaculture permitting; data processing; and information
services and public participation. The department carries out a
wide variety of stock assessment tasks. He described the
scallop stock assessment, which utilizes an underwater camera
towed on a sled. This can also provide information on crab and
some groundfish species.
CHAIR SEATON informed the committee that he has scheduled a
future meeting to include the department's specialist who is
performing this work, and reported on his first hand experience
with the technology. He then inquired about the status of the
shark fishery.
MR. HILSINGER answered that the Board of Fisheries (BOF) has
increased by-catch limits on the shark, however, a conservative
approach has been taken on opening up a directed fishery. To a
follow-up question, he agreed to provide information regarding a
commercial shark harvest management plan to the committee.
9:01:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN suggested that perhaps a similar
approach could be taken towards the sharks as the game based
predator control.
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that shark is a marketable product.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS noted that there is a theory in Yakutat
that the salmon fry are not surviving due to the shark
predation. Shark may also be the reason that some hatcheries
are experiencing similar survival declines, he speculated.
9:04:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON queried what historical stock assessment
information is available on the Berners Bay herring run.
MR. HILSINGER answered that aerial surveys are available back
into the 1970's; some surveys may date back to pre-statehood.
Because the fishery was closed in 1982, regular surveys have not
been conducted since that time. This stock is being considered
for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked about the level of historical
information, that the department uses as a scientific database,
for the southeast region.
MR. HILSINGER responded that the southeast herring fishery
information is as good as the information that the department
has for herring stocks elsewhere in the state. At the turn of
the century, there were large reduction plants, and information
from those has been used to make assumptions regarding the
historic biomass. The modern data starts in the 1970's, and is
primarily from catch sampling and aerial surveys. Herring data
does not reflect the same level that has been compiled on salmon
and other species, he said.
9:07:23 AM
MR. HILSINGER explained how a submarine is utilized to map the
rockfish habitat in southeast. Other stock assessments are done
using traditional pot and trawl methods, however, the department
is working to develop more efficient and accurate techniques.
Harvest management is based out of the area offices, which work
with the laboratories. The pathology lab is involved with the
shellfish related to mariculture, and king crab enhancement.
The mark/tag and otoliths lab focuses on aging groundfish. A
standardized aging technique is being developed in coordination
with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Canada.
The genetics labs primarily work on salmon, but have the
capability to address shellfish and herring. The aquaculture
permitting section is small and in need of bolstering and
improvement. The data processing services staff works to
collect, and distribute, data to the department and the public.
He described the new e-landing system that is being implemented
in the groundfish and shellfish harvests.
9:11:29 AM
MR. HILSINGER directed attention to slide 17, to review the
major issues that the department is facing in 2008: recruitment
and retention; Federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) budget cuts; scallop limited entry; PNP
hatchery/mariculture reorganization; king crab enhancement; and
the Lynn Canal herring ESA listing. Elaborating on the
recruitment and retention issue, he said that, of the 302
permanent full time positions, 41, or 14 percent, are vacant.
Some of these vacancies have existed for a period of time. He
provided an example of futile attempts to fill two of the
division's highest positions, and said that the pay scale is
unattractive. A discussion ensued, with committee members, as
to how the recruitment, pay scale, and funding issues pose
problems to the department's personnel situation.
9:22:30 AM
MR. HILSINGER continued, stating that the federal grant
reductions represent a significant problem. These reductions
will be experienced beginning July 1, 2008; state fiscal year
(FY) 2009. These cuts effect every grant that the state
receives from NOAA. Programs, that will share the brunt of the
$5 million dollar federal in reductions, include: rockfish
research, near shore marine fisheries, implementation of the
American Fisheries Act, extended jurisdiction work, Bering Sea
crab management, and salmon programs.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS pointed out that four of the committee
members sit on the subcommittee for the ADF&G budget.
CHAIR SEATON said that if the Bering Sea crab management, or any
of the programs, is going to present a financial "drag on the
department," it may become necessary for the legislature to
request that the federal government take over management of
specific species.
MR. HILSINGER said that the department is still developing a
multi pronged approach for dealing with the cuts.
CHAIR SEATON requested that Mr. Hilsinger set aside the scallop
limited entry issue, as a separate hearing has been scheduled to
specifically address the scallop fishery.
9:26:47 AM
MR. HILSINGER moved onto king crab enhancement, stating that the
Seward shellfish hatchery may provide an opportunity to raise
the larvae for stock rehabilitation. The Sierra Club has
petitioned to have NMFS list the Lynn Canal herring stock under
the ESA. The petition was accepted by NMFS, but the state has
opposed the listing on the basis that it doesn't fit ESA
requirements. These stocks do not represent a distinct
population segment, nor is Lynn Canal a significant part of this
species range. To date, the department has not received a
decision from NMFS. Prompted by Chair Seaton, he offered that
comments may be posted on the department's web site. To another
committee question, he offered to provide further information
regarding the sea urchin harvest levels.
9:31:36 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:31 a.m. until 9:34 a.m.
[Due to technical difficulty the following is reconstructed from
the committee secretary's log notes.]
CHAIR SEATON announced that the next order of business would be
an overview/presentation from the Division of Sport Fish, Alaska
Department of Fish & Game.
CHARLES SWANTON, Director, Davison of Sport Fish, Alaska
Department of Fish & Game, began his overview with the ADF&G
mission to protect, maintain, and improve fish, game, and
aquatic plant resources, and manage resource use/development in
the interest of the economy and the well-being of Alaskans
consistent with the Sustained Yield Principle. Within that
proviso, the Division of Sport Fish mission is to protect and
improve the state's recreational fisheries resource. To
accomplish this end, the division has established core services.
With slide 4, he began elaborating on the first three core
services: fisheries management; fishery stock assessment
(resident species and salmon); and hatchery production.
CHAIR SEATON interjected a question about the status of the new
hatchery in Fairbanks. A brief discussion of the project
ensued, regarding the design, building season, and the funding
concerns involved.
9:42:20 AM
[Recording resumed]
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that the funding issues are pending
before the finance subcommittee, and suggested holding further
comments, and questions, for that hearing.
MR. SWANTON continued listing the core services: access
development and maintenance; habitat assessment; information and
education; enforcement; and planning and surveys. He directed
attention to the pie graph on slide 12, illustrating the funding
percentage level of each of these services; stock and habitat
assessment representing the major portion of the FY08 budget.
9:45:21 AM
CHAIR SEATON noted that the annual Division of Sport Fish
reports are exclusively inclined towards freshwater species. He
asked to have a report prepared to address saltwater species
efforts.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON requested that halibut be included in the
report.
MR. SWANTON continued with slides 12-17 to discuss the funding
breakout of the division's $48 million dollar budget. Funding
sources include: federal receipts; fish and game fund;
interagency receipts; general fund; CIP (capital improvement
project) receipts; statutory designated program receipts; and
other fund sources.
CHAIR SEATON questioned how the federal receipts for sport fish
restoration are used, and if the money might be used to fund
hatcheries.
MR. SWANTON explained that there are restrictions on how the
funds are to be used, but they are not directed to specific
projects.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS asked if the division supports the
statewide watershed council's, and whether the division offer
them advice on grant application efforts.
9:50:47 AM
MR. SWANTON responded that the watershed council's do receive
assistance from the division, which may include how to seek
funds.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS commented that some of the salmon fund
federal receipts are no longer allowed for economic development
use. He expressed hope that the department provides assistance
to the watershed councils, which have taken up habitat
rehabilitation tasks, throughout the state, that were once
carried out by the Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and
Development (FRED) Division.
MR. SWANTON continued, describing the funding sources of the
division. The fish and game fund, which is comprised of sport
fish license and king salmon stamp sales, as well as fish
operator and guide license fees. A portion of the general fund,
which is used for special area permitting, and increased PERS
[Public Employees Retirement System] and labor contract rates.
Other sources include "soft monies." Summarizing the funding
sources, he read slide 18: large percentage based on user pay
fees; strategic plan founded and priority driven fund
distribution; and minimal reliance on state fiscal resources.
In 2006, the division recorded 473,805 anglers, sold 487,000
resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses, and
experienced 2,298,092 angler-days. He reported that the
division is conducting a survey to determine the 2007 estimates
of expenditures, jobs, and economic impacts of the statewide
sport fishing effort, and angler satisfaction. The results will
be reported by key management regions, and should be available
in December 2008. Slides 20-22 provided map illustrations of
the three sport fish management regions: Region I, Southeast,
comprises all of southeast, north to Yakutat; Region II,
Southcentral, encompasses Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna, Prince
William Sound, the Alaska Peninsula, and Bristol Bay; Region
III, Interior, is made up of the remaining 82 percent of the
state. The other divisional organization facets include
research and technical services, habitat assessment and
restoration, and the headquarters located in Juneau. The
operation aspects are carried out through the headquarters,
three regional, and 22 area offices. The division employees 251
permanent and 207 season employees; a total of 458. From slide
25, he reported the activities that are managed by the division:
sport fisheries that include high-use road-accessible areas,
freshwater and saltwater, guided and unguided, remote, youth-
only, and winter; personal-use, primarily the Kenai and Chitina
dipnet fisheries; shellfish fisheries; and educational. With
slides 26-34 he presented a photo gallery of these activities.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked what other youth-only fisheries
occur other than the southcentral one at Campbell Creek.
CHAIR SEATON identified one on the Homer spit, and one on the
Anchor River.
MR. SWANTON said that there are also several in the interior.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON added that youth fisheries are promoted in
the Wrangell area.
9:58:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked if the Chitina dipnet access and
boat launch are being expanded.
MR. SWANTON explained the monumental hurdles for building and
maintaining a boat launch in certain areas, particularly in the
Copper River basin. To a follow-up question he agreed to
provide updated information regarding issues surrounding the
Chitina access.
CHAIR SEATON inquired whether the division is working to control
the offal [fish heads and viscera] that are discarded on the
beach following the dipnet fishery in Kenai.
MR. SWANTON offered to provide departmental information
regarding attempts to control the behavior of the fishermen, on
this fishery, and others that present similar nuisance
situations. A brief discussion ensued regarding how DEC and
ADF&G approach this issue.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked how the personal-use and
commercial fish management is handled in the Ketchikan area, for
the sockeye and coho runs.
MR. SWANTON deferred to the Division of Commercial Fish, who
will be presenting to the committee.
10:06:18 AM
MR. SWANTON continued with slide 35, to explain the division's
targets and measures. The target is to provide an outcome of
sustained recreational fishing opportunities while optimizing
social and economic benefits from these opportunities. The
first target is to provide 2.5 million angler days. The graph,
on slide 36, indicated the five year trend. He opined that the
downward turn, in 2006, was a result of the implementation of
the $9 surcharge. This inherent reverberation will straighten
itself out, he speculated. The 2007 target to sell 450,000
licenses was exceeded, by 37,000.
MR. SWANTON explained that the second target is economically
based, namely a positive trend in trip related expenditures as
measured by the National Survey of Hunting and Fishing; graphed
on slide 38. Due to difficulties in obtaining accurate and
complete data the graph is based on information dated from 1991-
2001. He reported that steps are being taken to make this
information more accessible/timely. Further, he noted that
current state funding will allow the department to conduct
surveys. The satisfaction component is the third target. The
division expects to increase, to at least 75 percent, the number
of anglers that are satisfied with the variety of recreational
fishery experiences available. For the same reasons as target
two, the data for the graph on slide 39 illustrating this
effort, is dated; 1997.
10:09:13 AM
MR. SWANTON continuing with slide 40, reported on the Region I,
FY 07 accomplishments. Marine sport harvests were estimated and
verified. Verification was accomplished through the required
charter boat log book program. Stock assessments for salmon and
resident species, were conducted and escapements estimated.
Resource expertise was provided by the staff biologists for road
and airport construction, timber harvest, miming, hydroelectric
projects, and land transactions.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked how the sustained yield for halibut
is handled in conjunction with the governing federal agency.
MR. SWANTON explained that the division has a seat on the
halibut commission council, allowing opportunity for
collaboration and input. A brief discussion ensued about the
recent changes in the halibut regulations.
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that additional halibut information
would be brought forward in the commercial fisheries
presentation.
10:13:33 AM
MR. SWANTON, moving to slide 41, reviewed the Region II, FY 07,
accomplishments. Stock assessment work was conducted on the
Kenai, Russian, and Susitna Rivers sockeye salmon, and the
Kasilof River king salmon. Increased stock assessment work for
resident species, relative to systems identified for mine
development, was conducted, specifically in the Bristol Bay
area. The Region III, FY 07, accomplishments, include:
continued regulatory, land use, and research efforts helpful to
Alaskan anglers; and continued improvement of information and
education programs involving rural communities and users. He
reported that Region III experienced minimal inseason salmon
opportunity restrictions, during 2007. The research and
technical services accomplishments included: biometric support
provided for 120 stock assessment projects statewide; continued
review of salmon escapement goals; and statewide estimation of
sport fisheries catch, effort and harvest.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS reported on the coho sport catch in the
Cordova area. He expressed concern for the fish that are being
caught and released ineffectively by guided anglers. When they
catch their six coho limit, anglers continue to catch and
release improperly, resulting in significant numbers of dead
fish. Perhaps a video for how to properly release a fish would
be in order. He asked if the division is aware of this
situation and if they are taking any measures.
MR. SWANTON reported that the BOF addressed this situation 5
years ago, but did not take action. The department offers catch
and release information and instruction. Efforts are underway,
he said.
MR. SWANTON continued with the division's habitat assessment and
restoration accomplishments, slide 44: reviewed state,
municipal, and federal land ownership transfers and land use
plans for assuring sustained use; updated fish distribution
database and anadromous stream catalog; and continued cost-share
agreement with Kenai River landowners regarding stream bank
restoration. The additional accomplishments for FY 07 were:
continued support for advisory working group on a limited entry
sport fish guide program; completed three boater access and two
non-boating access projects statewide; and continued the
departments Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
program to protect management authority of fish and wildlife
resources. He reported on the key challenges for FY 08, which
are: management of harvests according to regulatory board
instruction; Sustain wild fish stocks targeted by sport anglers;
maintain and secure satisfaction among resident anglers;
constructing new hatcheries approved in 2005, while maintaining
existing hatchery production; ensuring hunting and fishing
public access as land is conveyed and restricted by federal land
managers; assure resource development is done responsibly
without undue affect on fish and wildlife and use; and minimize
impact to other users while meeting subsistence priority.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN requested further information regarding
the division survey, described on slide 19, and how it relates
to the slide 39 graph indicating angler satisfaction.
MR. SWANTON explained how questions in the survey address
satisfaction, as well as the anglers cost.
10:20:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said that it would be interesting to
know how the regional sport fishing activities impact the
overall state economy, and how areas indirectly support each
other.
CHAIR SEATON suggested that some of that type of survey data may
come to the fore during the discussion with the Division of
Subsistence, who will be presenting on Friday [January 21,
2008].
10:22:24 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:22
a.m.
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