Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/02/2004 03:30 PM Senate RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 98-SPORT FISHING SEASONS FOR YOUTH
CHAIR SCOTT OGAN announced HB 98 to be up for consideration.
REPRESENTATIVE RALPH SAMUELS, sponsor, said HB 98 would allow
the Board of Fisheries to open a fishery for youth [16 years and
under] only. Presently, the only way participation in a fishery
can be limited is to designate it for "seniors only." Last
session, a "take your son or daughter hunting day" was
established and this measure is similar to that. He noted that
Campbell Creek [an urban area in his Anchorage district] has a
very small run of King salmon that could be used for this
purpose. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) does not
want to open it up to just everyone. He had not heard of any
opposition to this bill and stated that ADF&G, the Board of
Fisheries, and the Alaska Outdoor Council support it. He pointed
out that HB 98 doesn't mandate anything, but simply makes the
proposal available.
SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER said he knows of an aquaculture
association that had to destroy a lot of red salmon smolt and he
suggested in the future putting smolts into some lakes without
outlets and restricting them to fishing by young people only.
SENATOR KIM ELTON pointed out that language on page 1 limits
fishing for youth to sport fishing, which is not exactly the
same language as that used for 60 and older, which says, "to
participate in sport, personal use or subsistence fishing." He
asked what the reasoning was behind that.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS explained that 16 year olds currently
don't need a fishing license and he didn't want to complicate
the issue. Furthermore, he was just aiming at a recreational
activity rather than filling the freezer.
SENATOR GEORGIANNA LINCOLN noted that some small communities in
her district would benefit from this program even though they
are not considered urban and clarified that this measure would
apply statewide.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS responded that it is open to anyone in
the state who wants to take a proposal to the Board of
Fisheries.
CHAIR OGAN tried to come up with a way someone could scam the
proposal.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS helped by saying the only thing he came
up with is that people might cheat on their age, but added that
they might do that now, anyway.
SENATOR SEEKINS relayed that some people have traditionally
hunted along a certain Alaskan river and can't do it now because
of the heavy traffic associated with youth hunters from places
as far away as Kodiak. He wondered if a family with four kids
could have any potential conflicts with traditional users that
might "boil over" with designated youth fishing.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS replied that unlike hunting, which can be
limited by the number of moose or caribou in a district, fishing
could be limited to a number of hours. If there were conflicts
or people taking advantage of the situation, the Board could
discontinue the program. He thought the advantages of the
program outweigh any possible downside, particularly with
fishing [as opposed to hunting].
SENATOR WAGONER noted that the term "snagging fish" does not
involve good sportsmanship and emphasized, "The last thing I
want to see is setting up a snagging area..."
MR. BOB BENTZ, Deputy Director, Division of Sport Fish,
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), supported HB 98 and said it
has a zero fiscal note. Kids under 16 years currently don't have
to buy a license and this bill would set up separate fishing
times and areas for kids only. It does not allow the board to
modify methods and means or alter existing bag and possession
limits. He assured the committee that the department would stop
any abuses that could arise by closing the area and submitting a
proposal to the Board of Fisheries to repeal that regulation.
CHAIR OGAN asked him where he would recommend the board create a
special opening or area.
MR. BENTZ replied that the department would wait for the public
to come forward with proposals to the board, which they have
done almost every year. From a conservation standpoint, he would
try to funnel the times and areas to stocked waters. He did not
envision using waters with wild stocks, especially where
conservation concerns already exist.
SENATOR ELTON asked what time period the board would consider
Interior fisheries issues in case the regulations need to be
repealed.
MR. BENTZ explained that normally the board takes up any one
area of the state every three years. However, an "Agenda Change
Request" could be filed by anyone to take up a specific issue
out of cycle and biological problems are high on their list of
exceptions. An area could be closed with an emergency order by
ADF&G, as well.
SENATOR ELTON asked how the department would deal with a
proposed regulation for an under-16 youth King salmon derby
because King salmon are on a quota system and are allocated, as
well, between the sport and commercial fisheries. In Southeast
Alaska, two out of every three King salmon that are caught on
sport gear are caught by non-residents. He also asked if the
catch is further divided by a derby situation, would the
department recommend that is not a good idea.
MR. BENTZ responded under that scenario, the department would
come up with its best estimate of what participation levels
might occur and what the harvest might be and present those
figures to the Board of Fisheries. The department would also
point out allocation impacts that could occur, but the board
would make the final decision.
SENATOR SEEKINS asked if he would suggest an area for youth
fishing in an already heavily used area.
MR. BENTZ replied no, but that would be a criterion that the
board would identify immediately.
SENATOR SEEKINS asked him which areas submitted proposals with
concerns about crowded fishing conditions.
MR. BENTZ replied Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage [indisc.].
CHAIR OGAN closed discussion on HB 98.
SENATOR WAGONER moved to pass HB 98 from committee with
individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note. There were no
objections and it was so ordered.
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