Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
03/11/2025 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB117 | |
| HB116 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 117-COMMERCIAL FISHING; SET GILLNET COOP
10:05:01 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 117, "An Act relating to commercial set gillnet
fishing; and providing for an effective date."
10:05:27 AM
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony on HB 117.
10:05:44 AM
JANE PETRICH, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. She said that she has been set netting on
the west side of Kodiak Island since 1977. She said that she
started fishing with her husband with a single permit and as her
family grew, they purchased additional permits. She said that
her sons have taken on additional responsibilities as she has
aged. She talked about changing roles to accommodate her
family. She said that she was humiliated last year when told
that she was breaking the law by practicing as her family has
for years. She remarked that for 48 years she has participated
in the fishery and suddenly, has found herself an illegal
operator. Additionally, she was told that every fish picked
from every crew net needed to be separated. She said this would
require an additional skiff and crew, something that would be a
major economic burden to her family. If the new legal
interpretation stands then her family would need to sell the
family operation, and the likely purchasers would not be local
and possibly even out-of-state. Someone who could afford "an
adventure of a lifetime." She said that the new legal
interpretation would exacerbate the outmigration of permits from
local communities. She asked for the fishery to return to the
status quo.
10:08:51 AM
THOMAS WISCHER, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that he has been a setnet permit
holder on Kodiak since 1976. He said his family operation
currently has three active permits. He said HB 117 would make
statute and regulations consistent with the way set netting has
always been done. He said the fisheries were struggling right
now and the Kodiak setnet fishery was especially challenged. He
said that fishermen are not asking for anything new and if the
current interpretation remains, it would destroy the family set
net fishery. He said many families would be forced out of the
fishery.
10:10:56 AM
SUE JEFFERY, representing self, gave public testimony in support
of HB 117. She said that she and her husband are both full-time
Kodiak residents and the family has been fishing at their setnet
site since 1987. She said that they have run their setnet
operation like a family. She echoed previous testifiers by
stating that the comingling of fish has been done since before
statehood. She said that the status quo has never caused any
conservation or other concerns. She opined that requiring a
setnet operation with more than one permit to separate fish
would generate additional expenses. She concluded that the new
interpretation would make many families unable to make it.
10:13:58 AM
ADAM WISCHER, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that he has been setnetting in
Kodiak for his whole life. He said that without this bill there
would be an unnecessary burden on fishermen that could
jeopardize families. He said that forcing families onto the
ocean during inclement weather is problematic.
10:15:08 AM
VIRGINIA ADAMS, Member, Northwest Setnetters, gave public
testimony in support of HB 117. She said that since 1980 she
has fished at a setnet site with her husband. Currently, her
family operates three permits. She remarked that the previous
testimonies have been spot on. She said that now at 70 years
old, she spends more time on the beach rather than being on the
water. She said that many setnet sites in Kodiak have a
grandparent and grandchild dynamic. She said that this bill
would be critical to maintaining the family fishing structure.
She said that without this bill, there would be serious safety
concerns. She said it is not feasible or realistic to change.
10:17:14 AM
ADELIA MYRICK, President, Northwest Setnetters, said that her
organization strongly supports HB 117. She emphasized that the
proposed new bill would do nothing new. She said that
testifiers have made it clear that families have fished as
cooperatives for generations and never have faced legal issues.
She said that this bill would allow fishermen to fish "without
having to look over their shoulder." The legislation would
support communities by supporting families who work together.
She said it would also support young people coming up through
the ranks and maintain economic engines in small communities.
10:19:58 AM
ERIK O'BRIEN, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that he is a multi-generational
participant in the Kodiak setnet fishery. He urged legislators
to pass this legislation, so his daughters and parents do not
need to go out into the water during inclement weather for
deliveries. He said the new legal interpretation is adversely
affecting the fishery.
10:21:20 AM
DOREECE MUTCH, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. She said her family owns a setnet site on
the west side of Kodiak. She said that her family has owned and
operated the site since 2018. The family utilizes four permits
and works as a team. She said the previous owners operated in
the same manner for over 40 years. She opined that the new
legal interpretation has created considerable challenges to the
family operation. Like the several previous testifiers she
noted the safety issues associated with fish deliveries.
10:23:08 AM
MARK BEARDSLEY, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that his wife and he have fished at
a multi-permit site for over three decades. He said that his
family relies on traditional practices. He said that members of
the fishing site work together and it ensures efficiency and
safety.
10:25:02 AM
ALFRED HAUGHEY, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that he has fished on the west side
of Kodiak since 1965. He said that there is always someone
trying to change something to the detriment of setnetters. He
said that four permits are in operation with his group. He
explained the team dynamic associated with setnet fishing. He
echoed the testimonies of the previous testifiers and stated
that HB 117 would reduce hardships for setnetters.
10:27:42 AM
MATHEW RIENDEAU, representing self, gave public testimony in
support of HB 117. He said that he owns and operates a setnet
site on the north side of Kodiak. He said that previous
setnetters already described logistical complications and said
that many setnet sites are family operations. He said that
being able to pick fish from several permits allows efficiency
and safety. Additionally, he said that doing so in this manner
would allow them to keep fish viable and encourage tenders to
stick around for purchasing. He said that HB 117 would provide
clarification to continue this practice for generations to come.
10:29:58 AM
CHAIR STUTES, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 117.
10:30:34 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 10:30 a.m.
10:30:39 AM
CHAIR STUTES asked if any committee members had comments or
questions.
10:31:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE commented that years ago he read about an
architect that built a college. The architect did not build any
sidewalks and when asked about it, he said that students would
put marks in the grass to dictate the best and most efficient
paths. He said that in many regards setnetters are doing the
same thing. He said that it still frustrates him that
legislation is needed to fix this. He urged support for HB 117
and setnetters across the state.
10:32:13 AM
CHAIR STUTES noted that while most of the testifiers were from
Kodiak, this is a statewide issue.
10:32:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ELAM said that he has no objections to the bill
but wanted to let committee members know that some of the Kenai
Guide affiliates wanted this to go through a board process
rather than a legislative process.
10:33:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP remarked that he had a conflict of interest
as an active setnetter but had nothing to do with drafting the
bill. He said that this is a good bill and common-sense
legislation.
10:34:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE commented that there are many setnetters on
Cook Inlet. In response to Sportfishing Guides, she said it
would go through the Board of Fish to adopt regulations, but the
committee's purview was to clarify the law with legislation.
She discussed the challenges faced by set netters.
10:34:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HB 117 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being objection, HB 117 was reported out of the
House Special Committee on Fisheries.