1994-07-15                     House Journal                      Page 4524
HB 218                                                                       
The following letter dated June 29, 1994, was received:                        
                                                                               
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Barnes:                                                          
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I         
have vetoed the following bill:                                                
                                                                               
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 218 (FSH)(efd fld)                                      
"An Act relating to the maximum length of salmon seine vessels."              
                                                                               
This bill would have eliminated the 58-foot limit on the length of             
salmon seine vessels and would have restricted the ability of the Board        
of Fisheries to consider the effects of such a change in a timely              
manner.                                                                        
                                                                               
It would be difficult for the state's resource managers to effectively         
deal with the issues that could arise should the limit on the maximum          
length of salmon seine vessels be eliminated.  These issues include            
changes in fishing patterns, impacts on fisheries resources,                   
overcapitalization of the industry, and increased allocation disputes.         
                                                                               
Local fishers have expressed themselves quite strongly against the             
elimination of the 58-foot limit, as they rightfully believe they would        
be disadvantaged by this elimination.                                          
                                                                               
As we gain better control of the management of our fisheries in the            
North Pacific, we cannot justify actions that encourage bigger, more           
expensive boats to enter the fisheries.                                        
                                                                               
For salmon fisheries already in crisis due to changing world market            
conditions, this legislation could cause added stress.                         
                                                                               
To avoid creating these risks to our salmon fisheries, I must veto CS          
HB 218(FSH)(efd fld).                                                          
                                                                               
								Sincerely,                                                             
								/s/                                                                    
								Walter J. Hickel                                                       
								Governor"