Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 120
02/09/2012 05:00 PM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
February 9, 2012
5:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Steve Thompson, Chair
Representative Craig Johnson, Vice Chair
Representative Alan Austerman
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Scott Kawasaki
Representative Bob Miller
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Lance Pruitt
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bryce Edgmon
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Relating to an examination of fisheries-related programs and
resources in the state to determine how those programs and
resources may best be strengthened and focused to facilitate the
entry of young Alaskans into gainful, lifelong commercial
fisheries careers and to the development of a systematic,
aggressive, and sustained program to turn the tide on the
graying of the fleet and to increase ownership of successful
commercial fisheries operations by young Alaskans.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 18
SHORT TITLE: COMMERCIAL FISHERIES PROGRAMS
SPONSOR(s): FISHERIES
04/17/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/17/11 (H) FSH
02/09/12 (H) FSH AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
TIM CLARK, Staff
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HCR 18 on behalf of the House
Special Committee on Fisheries, by request.
FRED VILLA, Associate Vice President
Academic Affairs for Workforce Programs
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified, during the hearing on HCR 18,
and responded to questions.
DR. MICHAEL CASTELLINI, Dean
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified, during the hearing on HCR 18,
and responded to questions.
WANETTA AYERS, Director
Division of Economic Development
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified, during the hearing on HCR 18,
and responded to questions.
AGGIE BLANDFORD, Executive Director
Western Alaska Community Development Association (WACDA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified, during the hearing on HCR 18,
and presented an overview of the active CDQ [Community
Development Quota] programs throughout the state.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:03:16 PM
CHAIR STEVE THOMPSON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Representatives
Thompson, Miller, Austerman, Johnson, and Herron were present at
the call to order. Representative Kawasaki arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HCR 18-COMMERCIAL FISHERIES PROGRAMS
5:03:55 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18, Relating to an
examination of fisheries-related programs and resources in the
state to determine how those programs and resources may best be
strengthened and focused to facilitate the entry of young
Alaskans into gainful, lifelong commercial fisheries careers and
to the development of a systematic, aggressive, and sustained
program to turn the tide on the graying of the fleet and to
increase ownership of successful commercial fisheries operations
by young Alaskans.
5:05:49 PM
TIM CLARK, Staff, Representative Bryce Edgmon, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced HCR 18, paraphrasing from a prepared
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
HCR 18 calls on the Legislature to strengthen and
support programs and resources in the state that
assist the efforts of younger resident Alaskans to
launch ownership-level careers in commercial
fisheries.
The seafood industry is Alaska's largest private-
sector employer and has been the economic mainstay in
dozens of our communities for more than a century.
Yet only a fraction of seafood harvesting businesses
are Alaska owned.
Nearly half of the Individual Fishing Quota [IFQ]
shares issued for Alaska fisheries are held by non-
Alaskans, and nearly one quarter of the limited entry
permits issued for Alaskan salmon fisheries are
Outside owned.
The financial and societal contributions resident
fishers make to their home ports and hometowns are
considerable; Alaska should do all it can to increase
resident ownership of businesses harvesting fish in
its waters.
In recent decades, the mean age of commercial fishing
entry permit owners in Alaska has increased from just
more than 40 years to nearly 50 years.
This "graying of the fleet" is happening in part
because younger Alaskans confront ever more daunting
obstacles to acquiring fish harvesting operations.
Nowadays, the cost of entry into commercial fisheries
on a diversified level sufficient to provide a
satisfactory income for a skipper and crew is often
more than $350,000.
Such amounts are beyond the reach of most young
Alaskans, who usually lack the considerable credit
histories and collateral assets necessary to secure
large bank loans.
Also, with the increase in limited-entry and
rationalized fisheries in recent decades-running a
successful fishing operation requires sharp business
skills and the savvy to navigate complex state and
federal regulatory systems.
There is simply not as much margin for error as there
was in the past.
HCR 18 recognizes there are many fine programs and
agencies in the state whose goals include promoting
strong resident commercial fisheries and aiding
younger Alaskans' success in them.
The resolution urges the Legislature to examine these
efforts in order to determine how best they can be
strengthened and focused to further the aspirations of
young Alaskan fisheries entrepreneurs.
Doing so will fortify one of the state's most
important industries and the many communities, rural
and urban alike, that benefit from it.
FINANCING & EDUCATION
Many people agree that government efforts to spur
economic development are most effective in two
particular areas:
Financing and Education/Training
The Education and Training needs of commercial
fishermen in Alaska differ from those typical of other
occupations.
A strong, naturally occurring apprenticeship program
is available to nearly any able-bodied person who
pounds the docks in a fishing harbor and talks their
way into a deckhand's job. Training happens on the
job, usually pretty quickly and pretty thoroughly.
But HCR 18 is concerned with training needs that have
to do with the business side of fishing: training in
financial literacy; business management; and
regulatory structures and processes.
As the business of fishing has grown ever more
challenging and complex in recent decades, this kind
of education has become all but indispensable.
To address creating opportunities in Education and
Training, the agenda includes:
Mike Castellini, University of Alaska's Dean of the
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and Fred
Villa, Associate Vice President of the University's
Workforce Programs.
They will talk about the University's Allied Fisheries
Working Group.
From what I have learned about this initiative, it
appears to be very well aligned with the goals of HCR
18.
On the Financing side, we have Wanetta Ayers, director
of the Division of Economic Development, who will
describe, among other things, the state of Alaska's
financing programs for commercial fishing enterprises.
It's fair to say that the Fisheries Committee has been
doing its part where financing programs are concerned.
The committee has heard and moved several loan fund
bills whose objectives are in keeping with the goals
of HCR 18.
They include:
The governor's HB 121, which includes programs for
Charter fishing entry permits, shellfish farming, and
micro loans; Representative Austerman's HB 141, which
addresses a financing program for Community Quota
Entities; and most recently Rep. Edgmon's HB 261, on
low-interest loans for commercial fishing entry
permits.
From the Western Alaska Community Development
Association [WACDA], we have Executive Director Aggie
Blandford, who will speak on Alaska's Community
Development Quota groups' work that relates to HCR
18's goals.
I think you'll learn from Ms. Blandford that the CDQ
groups have very comprehensive programs to help
younger Alaskans into rewarding fisheries careers.
5:12:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON referred to the committee handout titled
"Executive Summary, Changes in the Distribution of Alaska's
Commercial Fisheries Entry Permits, 1975-2010," labeled CFEC
(Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission) Report Number 11-3N-
EXEC, to state that it contains a table indicating that fishing
permits leaving the state due to the out migration of the permit
holder, and asked about the fishing activities of those permits;
are they fished more or less than locally held permits.
MR. CLARK deferred to the Department of Natural Resources and
the CFEC.
5:14:01 PM
FRED VILLA, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs for
Workforce Programs, University of Alaska (UA), said that the UA
system addresses degrees and certificates for occupational
endorsements in high demand (HD) areas. The workforce
investment system across the state is comprehensive and
significant. The Workforce Investment Board is an advisory to
the Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DOLWD). The
Department of Education and Early Development (EED) is a
critical partner, as well as the university Board of Regents.
The university maintains regional campuses and supports
community efforts, through a combination of state appropriations
and private funding. He said a number of educational options
exist in Alaska, including apprenticeship programs, many of
which can be nationally certifiable through UA assistance.
Other options include for-profit occupational training
institutes, private college a university offerings, and the
employers who play a critical role with on-the-job training
opportunities. He stressed the need to identify interest early
in order to best guide an individual toward a successful career.
The continuum for understanding how children can be guided
towards interests and an educational goal is fascinating and
important. By the third grade, they may not know what they want
to be, but they often know what they don't want to do, he said,
and offered a personal anecdote. The Workforce Development
Plans are continually in use and have proven to be successful
and important. The graying of the fleet has been identified in
a number of different industry sectors including: construction,
oil and gas, the health coalition, and the Alaska energy sector
partnership. He stressed that industry has driven the effort
for producing qualified workers to fill the ranks. Emerging on
this front is the Seafood Maritime Industry, as well as mining
and tourism. He said it is important to understand that the
fishing industry is not unique, and is at a critical point for
considering ways for identifying, and encouraging the next
generation of the workforce.
5:21:03 PM
DR. MICHAEL CASTELLINI, Dean, School of Fisheries and Ocean
Sciences, University of Alaska, said the need for integrated
seafood industry, fisheries, and maritime training has been
identified for some time, but the last 24 months have seen a
surge of growth in the endeavor. He reported that funding
through the Rasmuson Foundation has allowed the UAF to enhance
the fisheries program; now expanded to accommodate 75-80
students per year and offering master and doctorate studies.
The project funding ends in two years, but it has stimulated the
planning process. He reported that a result of the stimulus was
the alignment of UA course offerings with the graying of the
fleet. Meetings with CEQ's, other interested organizations, and
individuals have helped to identify the areas to be addressed.
Allied Fish was developed as a cross-campus UA collaborative,
integrated initiative to assess and enhance the development and
delivery of programs, courses, research and information that
meet the employment needs of the fisheries, seafood and maritime
industries. A model was created based on type and area of need,
as well as the type of educational certificate would serve the
purpose. Industry has helped by providing instructors. The
Rasmuson Foundation, the governor and others held a summit
meeting, and plans were laid for the steps that will be taken in
the next six months to bring this effort to fruition. He said
expectations are that the program will be fully developed within
the next three years. The full title of the effort is UA
Fisheries, Seafood, and Maritime Initiative, and a web site has
recently been launched.
5:29:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN inquired how the high school students
and off-campus college sites will be integrated.
MR. CASTELLINI said work is occurring on all of the rural
campuses, tied into the regional hub campus with which they are
associated; UAF, UAA, or UAS. Further, recent private funding
has been awarded that will place fisheries curriculum in the K-
12 schools.
MR. VILLA added that state resources are levered through various
approaches to provide training options away from the main
campuses. One example is the refrigeration training course,
where equipment was purchased and housed in a mobile unit,
making it portable and available to regional training centers.
5:33:42 PM
MR. VILLA summarized what the initiative is expected to provide
and directed attention to the handout in the committee packet
titled "Summary Inventory of University of Alaska Educational
and Training Offerings related to Fisheries, Seafood, and
Maritime Industries December 2011." The 50 programs offered are
still being developed, and staff is working on the initiative.
The web site began this week, and the next major event is to
host an industry forum, March 4, 2012, Anchorage, Alaska, to
gain further input and interest. A survey will be conducted
throughout the industry to identify actual occupational need, in
analyzing the training gap versus the occupations. Industry
will also help establish the order of priorities as a basis for
the workforce development plan.
5:37:13 PM
WANETTA AYERS, Director, Division of Economic Development (DED),
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
(DCCED), said that the resolution speaks to the core of economic
development, which tailors a set of coordinated, policies,
programs, and actions, to create specific outcomes for an
industry. There are underlying population dynamics, which
affect aspect of many major Alaskan industries. Any economic
development effort needs to consider potential labor shortages,
and that is the intent of this initiative for the fishing
industry, she opined. Allied Fish has identified skill gaps in
the seafood harvesting and processing sector and effort is
progressing in a positive way with an anticipated outcome that
will create options/opportunities for future workers. World
demand for Alaskan seafood has been created, which requires that
the health of the fleet and industry support be addressed. The
DED has a financing section, she reminded, which has provided
the Commercial Fishing Revolving Loan Fund since 1972. As of
the last fiscal year the loan fund value was just over $83
million, with over 2,000 active accounts. Last year the demand
for loans ranked high, and 258 new loans originated for a total
value of nearly $20.6 million. The activity has been robust in
the lending program, and it is anticipated to continue, she
opined. Additionally, the Fisheries Enhancement Revolving Loan
Program helps to contribute to the common property fishery
through aquaculture activities. Regarding technical assistance,
she said the office of fisheries development has on staff a
development specialist who responds to calls for assistance on a
variety of issues including: permitting, regulations, business
support and counseling, product and pricing issues, as well as
developing underutilized fisheries where opportunities could be
cultivated such as shellfish mariculture. Other activities
include initiating incentivize changes in seafood processing for
marketing new product forms and can sizes. Research regarding
availability of seafood related jobs and investment
opportunities is an area that needs expanded, she finished, and
said it is a wise time to be taking a full accounting of the
industry.
5:45:48 PM
AGGIE BLANDFORD, Executive Director, Western Alaska Community
Development Association (WACDA), provided an overview of the CDQ
(Community Development Quota) program, beginning with a brief
history. She paraphrased from a prepared statement, which read
as follow [original punctuation provided]:
Each of the CDQ entities offers financial assistance
to local fishermen in a variety of ways. With
generous terms, CDQ entities offer low or no interest
loan programs to local fishermen. Some examples of
which include:
APICDA [Aleutian Pribilof Island Community
Development] Association offers interest free loans to
qualifying residents for purchasing gear, small
vessels, and acquiring IFQ [Individual Fishery Quota]
halibut shares. The loan program offered to residents
of Akutan assists fishermen in purchasing 4A halibut
quota shares. The loan program offered to Atka
fishermen helps purchase 4B halibut quota shares. In
St. George, the revolving loan program assists locals
in purchasing fishing gear and/or small vessels.
Loans are paid back over a series of years based upon
a percentage of the fishermen's exvessel earnings.
BBEDC [Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation]
offers an interest rate assistance program, which
provides fishermen the opportunity to reinvest in
their commercial fishing operations by providing
relief from a portion of the interest on existing loan
payments for vessels, permits, or gear. BBEDC also
offers a permit loan program that provides financial
guarantees, down payment grants, interest assistance,
principal reduction assistance, technical assistance
and/or training to successful applicants.
CBSFA's [Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association's]
vessel, gear, and IFQ Loan Program provides local
fishermen with low interest loans that in recent years
has allowed new entry into the CDQ halibut fishery.
Fishermen use this program to update onboard
electronics and lengthen and repower vessels for added
safety and improved efficiency. Locally held IFQs on
St. Paul Island have also increased as a result of
CBSFA's loan program.
NSEDC [Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation]
offers a revolving loan program that gives resident
fishermen access to capital for permits, outboard
motors, skiffs, and gear. These loans have largely
been applied toward the salmon and herring fisheries
in the Norton Sound region. NSEDC's large vessel loan
program assists fishermen in acquiring and/or
repowering larger vessels to prosecute the region's
red king crab and halibut fisheries.
YDFDA [Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association]
offers inhouse loan programs to help finance Yukon
River salmon permits, outboard motors, and fishing
gear. Approximately 450 commercial fishermen have
taken advantage of YDFDA's loan programs.
Grants and Fishermen's Advance Programs
APICDA offers fishermen association grants of $20,000
per year to each of the associations in its
communities (and Unalaska). The individual
associations determine how the funds will be spent,
i.e. for attending NPFMC [North Pacific Fishery
Management Council], IPHC [International Pacific
Halibut Commission], and/or Board of Fish meetings, or
to establish associationrun gear or vessel loan
programs.
CVRF offers a fishermen's advance program, which
assists its residents with purchasing gear, supplies,
and renewing fishing permits at the beginning of the
fishing season.
Vessel build/buy/upgrade
YDFDA offers financing to fishermen to purchase
locally built aluminum skiffs.
CBSFA, to increase the local fleet's ability to catch
the amount of halibut quota available in the area of
St. Paul Island, built the FV [Fishing Vessel] Saint
Paul and the FV Saint Peter. In addition to catching
CDQ halibut, the vessels are also available to harvest
locally held IFQ. This allows for full maximization
of locally held quota and provides local fishermen
incentive to purchase additional quota. The Saints
Boats also provide locals an opportunity to serve as
crewmembers and eventually as skippers.
Access/Permit Brokerage
BBEDC strives to retain ownership of permits by
residents of the region. Through the Bristol Bay
Permit Brokerage program, as a free public service
BBEDC provides listings for sales/purchases of
permits, permit holders, and vessels, helps recruit
crew and/or captains, assists with documentation for
sales and transfers, vessel licenses and permit
renewals, and other Coast Guard required forms. These
financial assistance programs only benefit fishermen
if they are able to translate their new gear, permit,
or upgraded vessel into income. To help do that, the
CDQs entities continue development of regional
fisheries by seeking out markets for local products -
to give fishermen the best price possible for their
catch. Higher dock prices are the result of the CDQ
entities' efforts to develop and identify better
markets for the region's products and the efforts to
bring back dormant fisheries, such as the herring
fishery in the Norton Sound. YDFDA, through its
subsidiary Kwik'pak Fisheries, is the only buyer in
the first two sub districts of the Yukon River from
the mouth of the Yukon River at Nunam Iqua and Kotlik
all the way to Marshall. Without YDFDA's presence,
there would be no viable commercial fishery in the
region. Unique opportunities also open the door to
commercial fishing to CDQ community residents who may
not have otherwise participated. NSEDC's seafood
plant in Nome, for example, will purchase red king
crab and assorted finfish caught through the ice
during the winter months, which not only offers
additional income but also increases the potential for
introducing new entrants to commercial fishing.
In addition to Bering Sea/Aleutian Island fisheries
investments, the CDQ entities make direct investments
in local and regional fisheriesrelated development
projects, such as: Boat purchases or fabrication.
YDFDA's Yukon Marine Manufacturing company that
operates in Emmonak builds aluminum skiffs for the
local fleet. Approximately 200 locals have taken part
in this program over the last 10 years. CDQ entities
also build and operate processing plants & buying
stations in CDQ member communities.
APICDA, through its subsidiary APICDA Joint Ventures
[AJV], and in partnership with the Atka Fishermen's
Association, operates a plant in Atka that processes
halibut and sablefish. AJV also owns and operates
Bering Pacific Seafoods, a processing facility in
False Pass.
BBEDC, through its ownership interest in Ocean Beauty
Seafoods, operates a plant in Naknek that processes
salmon and herring.
CBSFA partners with Trident Seafoods to process
locally caught halibut at the plant on St. Paul
Island.
Coastal Villages built and operates a $40 million
processing facility in Platinum capable of 150,000
lbs/day of finished product. During the peak of the
salmon season, it takes more than 245 people to
operate the plant and its support vessels. Coastal
also operates 6 halibut plants (Chefornak, Hooper Bay,
Kipnuk, Mekoryuk, Toksook Bay, and Tununak) and a
salmon buying station in Bethel.
NSEDC operates 3 facilities, a salmon plant in
Unalakleet, a halibut plant in Savoonga, and a plant
in Nome that processes both halibut and crab.
YDFDA operates a salmon processing plant in Emmonak
and buying stations along the lower Yukon River.
In additional to processing facilities, the CDQ
entities invest in other infrastructure and equipment,
such as:
Cranes for offloading product and pulling vessels out
of the water
Harbor improvements
Ramp and dock installation
Safe and secure moorage space for vessels
Loaders and hydraulic boat trailers
Fleets of Tenders vessels assist regional processing
operations and help fishermen with deliveries.
APICDA owns and operates a fleet of 8 tender/fishery
support vessels.
In the Kuskokwim region, CVRF [Coastal Villages Region
Fund] owns and operates a fleet of 7 tender/fishery
support vessels in addition to contracting with 3
additional vessels to round out the buying service
that it provides to regional fishermen.
NSEDC owns and operates a fleet of 5 tender/fishery
support vessels that assist buying and processing
operations in Norton Sound area fisheries.
YDFDA, through its subsidiary Yukon River Towing,
operates a fleet of 7 LCMs [Landing Craft Mechanized]
and one lightering/gravel barge that assist the local
fisheries during the fishing season. CDQ ice machines
and ice barges help fishermen keep their catch cold -
and improve the quality of the fish product, helping
resident fishers earn the best price for their catch.
BBEDC, though it's Chilling Products Program, offers
slush ice bags and insulated totes to fishermen and
gives grants for vessel upgrades such as RSW systems
and hold insulation upgrades that improve fish
quality. They also operate two ice barges in the
region during the salmon season.
In total, NSEDC has purchased 15 large ice machines
and 12 smaller single-phase ice machines to assist its
regional processing and fish buying operations in the
Norton Sound region. Ensuring safety is also
paramount to the CDQ organizations.
CDQ entities offer safety training and provide safety
gear (or gear at cost) to resident fishermen in CDQ
communities.
In partnership with other local entities, NSEDC
financed a portion of the construction of a fire
prevention/search and rescue vessel that operates out
of the Port of Nome.
CBSFA also partnered with the local tribal government
to construct a stateof theart quick response vessel
that provides search and rescue services to the local
fleet on St. Paul Island. CDQs offer storage,
facilities, welding and other equipment for vessel
repair and maintenance.
In Nelson Lagoon, APICDA's subsidiary AJV and the
Nelson Lagoon Tribal Council operate a gear and vessel
storage company to support the local salmon fishery.
CBSFA helps subsidize some of the costs of renting
adequate space to perform vessel maintenance on St.
Paul Island by bringing in engine technicians,
aluminum fabricators and welders to help fishermen
ensure longterm operation of their vessels.
In 19 of its member communities, CVRF built and
operates Community Service Centers, multipurpose
buildings that are equipped with space to maintain,
repair, service and modify boats, motors, and fishing
gear. The workspace is also available for repair and
maintenance of snow machines, ATVs [all-terrain
vehicle(s)], sleds, trailers, and other equipment
critical to village life. Coastal also provides
aluminum boat repair, boat customization services, and
small engine maintenance and repair services at its
Community Service Centers.
NSEDC invested in portable welding machines and
provided training for the equipment for several of
their member communities to assist fishermen's ability
to conduct maintenance on their vessels.
Each of the six CDQ entities also offers robust
education and training programs for residents of their
respective member communities, some fisheries specific
examples:
Scholarships for postsecondary education
Vocational training opportunities and scholarships
Student loan forgiveness programs
Nautical training for new and aspiring boat captains
GPS [global positioning system] and safety training
Net mending and hanging classes (NSEDC)
Welding training for portable welders - so local
fishermen can pre-form vessel repair in their home
communities, extending the life of vessels currently
in operation (NSEDC).
Recognizing the importance of understanding the
fisheries management and regulation process some CDQ
entities also sponsor fishermen's attendance at NPFMC,
Board of Fish, and IPHC meetings (CBSFA).
The CDQ Program provides a wide range of employment
opportunities. Specific to promoting regional
commercial fishing activity, CDQ entities offer
employment:
On board CDQ vessels - both inregion and in the BSAI
fisheries
As processors in CDQ processing facilities
As skippers and crew on CDQ tender and support vessels
And CDQs also employ scientists - fisheries biologists
and technicians who work to understand and help ensure
healthy fish populations in the region. In 2010, more
than 1500 regional commercial fishery permit holders
were paid exvessel payments in CDQ regions. Those
fishermen in turn supported an estimated 1,700
crewmember jobs. A more recent example of
fisheriesrelated employment opportunities provided by
the CDQ program, Coastal Villages Seafoods, employed
335 people from the Kuskokwim region at its processing
facility in 2011 and 30 region residents crewed on
tenders/fishery support vessels - in addition to the
local fishermen and their associated crews.
The CDQ program, through its investments in people,
community and fisheries, represents a substantial
opportunity and an important asset in responding to
many challenges faced by Western Alaska. The program
has come a long way over the course of the last 20
years, but there's still a lot of work to do. Giving
CDQ community residents the incentive to fish and the
ability to earn a living doing so is one of the most
important and effective economic development
activities available in remote Western Alaska. The
CDQ entities welcome any support the State of Alaska
can provide in making commercial fishing more
attractive and accessible option for the next
generation.
[Chair Thompson passed the gavel to Vice Chair Johnson during
the presentation.]
6:01:54 PM
VICE CHAIR JOHNSON announced that the bill would be held for
further discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 6:02
p.m.