Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
02/22/2018 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Presentation by Dr. S. Bradley Moran, Dean, College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, Uaf | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
6ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
February 22, 2018
10:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative David Eastman
Representative Mark Neuman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Zach Fansler
Representative Geran Tarr
Representative Mike Chenault
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): UAF COLLEGE OF FISHERIES & OCEAN SCIENCES
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 231
"An Act relating to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING POSTPONED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
S. BRADLEY MORAN, PhD; Dean
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS)
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-Presented a PowerPoint regarding the UAF
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
GORDON KRUSE, PhD; Professor
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CSOF)
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-Presented a PowerPoint regarding the UAF
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:03:05 AM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Representatives
Kreiss-Tomkins, Eastman, Neuman, and Stutes were present at the
call to order.
^Presentation by Dr. S. Bradley Moran, Dean, College of
Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, UAF
Presentation by Dr. S. Bradley Moran, Dean,
College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, UAF
10:04:13 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the only order of business would be
a Presentation by Dr. S. Bradley Moran, Dean, College of
Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, UAF
10:05:07 AM
S. BRADLEY MORAN, PhD; Dean, College of Fisheries and Ocean
Sciences (CFOS), introduced himself.
GORDON KRUSE, PhD; Professor, College of Fisheries and Ocean
Sciences (CSOF), University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF),
introduced himself and advised he is located at the Lena Point
facilities in Juneau.
10:05:35 AM
DEAN MORAN offered to provide a brief overview of the College of
Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS). Turning to slide 2, titled
"Statewide Presence," he stated that the college was one of the
largest combined research and academic unit in Alaska,
consisting of over 300 faculty, staff and students as well as 12
locations across Alaska. He identified Fairbanks as the only
non-coastal region for the CFOS. He directed attention to the
graph that explains the CFOS budget for fiscal year (FY) 17. He
asked to highlight the over $6 million infusion to the CFOS,
noting the overall revenue to Alaska at $54 million, which was a
good investment for Alaska returning $8 for every $1 invested.
A large part of the budget was for the research vessel (R/V)
Sikuliaq, the only ice-capable research vessel in the entire
nation that the CFOS operates. He pointed out $24.6 million for
research, which would be close to the FY 18 projected budget.
DEAN MORAN turned to slide 3, titled "Academic Programs," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
? Fisheries Bachelor of Science (research focus)
? Fisheries Bachelor of Arts (broader focus)
? Fisheries Master of Science and Ph.D.
Marine Biology Master of Science and Ph.D.
? Oceanography Master of Science and Ph.D.
? New Masters of Marine Studies
? New Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Undergraduate
Degree
DEAN MORAN identified that the CFOS has expanded its degrees to
include B.S. in Ocean Sciences, Masters, and Ph.D. programs
offered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in Marine
Biology, Fisheries, and Oceanography. These programs have been
growing and the CFOS currently has over 100 graduate students
and approximately 60 undergraduate students, he said.
10:07:49 AM
CHAIR STUTES asked whether the [degree programs] were available
in all the satellite schools.
DEAN MORAN answered yes; that the college extensively uses video
conferencing (Vicon).
10:08:11 AM
DEAN MORAN turned to slide 4, titled "Research & Economic
Drivers," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
? Alaska Sea Grant Program
? Coastal Marine Institute
? Institute of Marine Science
? Kasitsna Bay Laboratory
? Kodiak Seafood & Marine Science Center
? Lena Point Fisheries Facility
? Ocean Acidification Research Center
? Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center
? Rasmuson Fisheries Research Center
? R/V Sikuliaq & Seward Marine Center
DEAN MORAN stated he listed the top components of the college.
He added that the Alaska Sea Grant Program was a partnership
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Institute of Marine Science was another grant program,
funded through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The program handles all the research. He mentioned that the
Kodiak Seafood & Marine Science was the only seafood processing
pilot plant in the state and that CFOS was aggressively pursuing
partnerships between that facility and industry. The Lena Point
Fisheries Facility was where the bulk of the fisheries programs
are located. The college has an Ocean Acidification Research
Center that has done fantastic work in coastal waters in support
of fisheries and water quality, he said. The Rasmuson Fisheries
Research Center supported by the Rasmuson Foundation assists the
undergraduate fisheries program. Lastly, the R/V Sikuliaq, a
$200 million NSF [National Science Foundation] owned CFOS
operated research vessel, operates out of Seward.
10:10:06 AM
DEAN MORAN turned to slide 5 titled "Partnerships," which read,
in part, as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Pollock Conservation Cooperative is UAF's largest
donor and since 2000 it has donated $20M
CFOS donors support the following:
Research Programs Fisheries
Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Fellowships
R/V Sikuliaq Exhibit at the UA Museum of the North
R/V Sikuliaq Alaska Homecoming Center for Salmon and
Society National Ocean Sciences Bowl
Marine Advisory Program
Citizen Science Initiative
AK Young Fishermen's Summit
DEAN MORAN stated that the Pollock Conservation Cooperative's
donations were highly dependent on the education tax credit
program, which was due to sunset in the current year. He
expressed hope that the tax credit program would not be allowed
to sunset.
10:10:59 AM
DEAN MORAN turned to Slide 6, titled "CFOS Mariculture
Facilities, Faculty and Research," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Facilities available for research:
Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center: Seafood R&D
facility; research kitchens, biochemistry, food labs;
test & develop new seafood products.
Kasitsna Bay Laboratory: Running sea-water, wet/dry
labs, cold room; research on kelp and invertebrate
ecology, e.g. conditions for successful settlement and
growth, development.
Seward Marine Center: Adjacent to Alutiiq Pride
Shellfish Hatchery, facility for research on
mariculture studies.
Lena Point: CFOS research and teaching facility in SE
Alaska.
CFOS faculty funded for mariculture research
(seaweeds, invertebrates):
Keith Criddle (aquaculture), Ginny Eckert (crabs),
Sarah Hardy (sea cucumbers), Quentin Fong (seafood
science), Amanda Kelley (ocean acidification w/ kelp,
clams), Brenda Konar (kelp harvesting, clams), Mike
Stekoll (kelp)
DEAN MORAN stated that the takeaway from slide 6 is that CFOS
has a lot of capacity to grow mariculture in Alaska.
10:11:44 AM
CHAIR STUTES took this opportunity to commend the Kodiak Seafood
and Marine Science Center (KSMSC). She said it has had a huge
role in the mariculture industry and would continue to do so.
She hoped the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) would find a
way to keep this facility operational since it was the only
processing and testing facility in the state. She pointed out
that the KSMSC has been instrumental in developing the value-
added products in the seafood industry.
10:12:31 AM
DEAN MORAN agreed, noting the key word is "potential" for the
KSMSC. He stated that "Blue Evolution," [a seaweed farming
entrepreneur], has leased space and is in the process of
increasing its leased space.
10:12:46 AM
DEAN MORAN turned to slide 7, titled "Arctic Research Icebreaker
Consortium," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Networking & coordination
? Transnational access
? Joint research activities
DEAN MORAN said the R/V Sikuliaq was part of the Arctic Research
Icebreaker Consortium funded by the European Union. The UAF has
been receiving funding in support of the R/V Sikuliaq along with
research vessels from Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK),
and Canada. He emphasized that this was "a really big deal" as
Alaska was currently on the international stage leveraging state
and federal investments. He stated that concluded his remarks.
10:13:43 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 8, titled "Training Alaska's
Professional Fisheries Workforce: Undergrads," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
?Since 2007, there have been 74 graduates from our
undergraduate fisheries program
? 59 Bachelor of Science (BS)
? 15 Bachelor of Arts (BA)
? Employment of graduates with BS and BA:
? 45% - work for state and federal agencies in Alaska
(e.g., ADF&G, NMFS)
? 27% - attending graduate school
? 14% - work for fishing industry
? 14% - work for UAF
DR. KRUSE said that the UAF's fisheries undergraduate program
has grown to be one of the largest in the nation. The program
has the highest retention rate of all programs at the UAF,
retaining approximately 80 percent of its graduates as compared
with 40 to 60 percent for other programs, h said. He briefly
reviewed the statistics on slide 8.
10:15:03 AM
DR. KRUSE directed attention to slide 9, titled "Employment of
CFOS Fisheries M.S. and Ph.D. Alumni," consisting of a pie graph
identifying that 49 percent of MS and PhD graduates work in
Alaska. He reported that the UAF has had 521 graduate students
with Masters, and PhD degrees. He directed attention to the pie
chart that showed the distribution of employment, with 21
percent employed by the State of Alaska, primarily by the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), with 33 percent was unknown.
He reported that 16 percent were employed by the federal
government, primarily in the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), but also with the US Geological Survey (USGS), US Forest
Service (USFS) and other agencies. He pointed out that the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ted
Stevens Marine Research Institute (TSMRI) at Auke Bay was
dominated by UAF's graduates. If these graduates were removed,
the facility would need to close since these employees perform
substantial work, including doing all the stock assessments. He
further reported that the NOAA Alaska Regional Office Deputy
Regional Administrator, Doug Mecum, was one of UAF's fisheries
graduates. He related that 4 percent work in business and
consulting, mentioning Matt More, General Manager, Alaska
Pacific Seafoods in Kodiak, Warner Lew, Bristol Bay Fleet
Manager, Icicle Seafoods, and Sandro Lane, who developed the
Taku Smokeries/Taku Fisheries in Juneau and later became co-
owner of Trident Seafoods. Mr. Lane invented the cold-press,
virgin salmon oil product, marketed as Omega 3, to obtain value
from fish that would have otherwise been thrown away.
10:17:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS acknowledged the names mentioned
were leaders in fisheries management. He shared that he once
met someone in Juneau at GonZo waffle shop, who had been a
student in his freshman oceanography class. This student, from
Pennsylvania, was then pursuing her master's degree at CFOS
because it is one of the best programs in the nation.
DR. KRUSE responded that the university was very proud of its
programs.
10:18:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked for a breakdown of the 51 percent
of CFOS's M.S. and PhD alumni not working in Alaska.
Specifically, he wondered if CFOS knew if graduates were from
out of state, came to school here, and returned to their place
of origin after graduation versus how many Alaskans graduated
and consequently left the state for work.
DR. KRUSE reiterated that 49 percent of its alumni work in
Alaska. Of the remaining 51 percent, 33 percent were unknown, a
fraction of which was undoubtedly working in Alaska, he said.
He agreed that the CFOS program attracts students from other
places who complete the program, and some return to their home
states. He added that the program has not tracked the number of
students from out-of-state and what fraction stay in state;
however, he acknowledged that would be a good thing. He also
acknowledged that these graduates are highly sought after and
are recruited by universities, state, and federal governments.
10:20:25 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to page 10, titled "CFOS Fisheries Graduates in
Alaskan Economy," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Commercial fisheries:
?In 2015, Alaska commercial fisheries yielded 6B lb
(60%) of the nation's fishery landings
?$1.8 billion ex-vessel value.
?Seafood industry is Alaska's largest private
employer, averaging ~60,000 workers.
Sport fisheries/Subsistence:
?In 2007, 475,534 resident/nonresident licensed
anglers spent $1.4 billion trip-related
expenditures, supporting ~16,000 jobs in Alaska
?Important customary and traditional uses of fishery
resources
DR. KRUSE reviewed the statistics on slide 10. He added that
three of CFOS's faculty are members of the Scientific and
Statistical Committee for the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (NPFMC), together with two colleagues from the
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), who make up a third of the
total scientific body making scientific recommendations to the
NPFMC on federal fisheries management. The committee sets the
catch limits for all the federally managed fisheries in Alaska.
He characterized this as an being incredible responsibility for
the scientists who have tremendous pride in producing
sustainable fisheries of this magnitude.
10:22:08 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 11, titled "Department of Fisheries
Research Topics," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Topics Genetics, biology, ecology, migration,
population dynamics, fishery oceanography, economics,
human dimensions, and fishery management
Freshwater salmon, whitefishes, northern pike,
rainbow trout, Arctic char, burbot, lampreys
Marine Pacific halibut, rockfishes, sablefish,
pollock, cod, salmon, herring, crabs, shrimp, skates,
dogfish, etc.
Mammals sea lions, seals, walrus and whales
DR. KRUSE explained that the department performs fishery
research as other universities would do, noting that it has a
vibrant freshwater program throughout the state in lakes and
streams. He stated that the CFOS works on a plethora of marine
species supporting valuable commercial fisheries as well as
recreational marine fisheries, noting a few species were listed
on this slide. The CFOS also has one marine mammal scientist
who works on a variety of marine mammals.
10:22:56 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 12, titled "Algal Toxins Trigger
Increased Closures for a Lucrative Clam Fishery," which read, in
part, as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Uncovering the mechanisms behind wintertime paralytic
shellfish toxicity in geoduck clam fisheries in
Southeast Alaska
Wild harvest of geoduck clams in SE Alaska has
declined as a result of failed tests for paralytic
shellfish toxins (PSTs); 76% of management areas
failed weekly PST over 4 harvest seasons.
Our team is coordinating with resource managers,
fishers, and stakeholders to understand why this clam
fishery is experiencing an increase in closures so
that we can address management and mitigation needs.
DR. KRUSE offered to provide a few examples of the work done,
directing attention to some of the projects. He mentioned that
Southeast Alaska has a valuable geoduck clam fishery. He
directed attention to the chart of slide 12, noting the
exponential growth value that has plummeted in the past four
years due to paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). He reported
that 76 percent of the management areas have failed their weekly
PST tests resulting in a great decline.
DR. KRUSE stated that a team of graduate students and faculty
member has been working with fishery managers, fishermen and
other stakeholders to try to understand the cause of the decline
and what could be done in terms of management to mitigate the
problem.
10:23:49 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 13, titled "Improved Release of
Hatchery Salmon," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
How are nearshore predators responding to hatchery
released salmon?
Key Preliminary Results
? Pacific staghorn sculpin and Dolly Varden consume
salmon smolts (mostly) and juveniles during May and
June, including areas near hatchery release sites.
? As a result, hatchery salmon may be less vulnerable
to predators because they are released at a large
size.
Application
Optimal release strategies that improve smolt survival
to avoid highest risk of predation
Contribution of predation to early marine survival of
juvenile salmon
Research Team: Dr. Anne Beaudreau (UAF PI), Mr.
Douglas Duncan (UAF student)
Collaborating Organizations: University of Alaska
Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, Alaska
EPSCoR program, and the Age Tag Mark Lab of the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Funders: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Sea
Grant, Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc.
DR. KRUSE discussed this Southeast Alaska project, improving
release of hatchery salmon, funded by the Douglas Island Pink
and Chum Hatchery (DIPAC). He explained the hatcheries release
salmon and hope to obtain a return on their investments. The
hatcheries are very interested in reasons for any reductions to
returns. They have invested in a study to determine the fate of
hatchery-released salmon, including determining what species has
been eating the smolts and juvenile salmon when the fish are
first released, he said. He reviewed the key preliminary
results, noting that the Pacific staghorn sculpin and Dolly
Varden consume most of the smolts in May and June. These
predators tend to focus on smaller fish so if hatcheries release
larger smolts and juveniles, perhaps some predation can be
avoided. He reviewed the application, noting one goal is to
determine the optimal release strategies and when and where to
release the fish to reduce predation mortality.
10:24:55 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 14, titled "Killer Whale Depredation
in Longline Fisheries," that identified problems, results, and
outcomes, with photo of an orca whale and longline fishery
depredation, which read, in part, as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Problems: Management:
? Inaccurate stocks assessments Fishermen:
? Reduced catches
? Increased costs Whales:
? Risk of entanglement
? behavior change
Results:
39-73% reduction in survey catches, and 35-70%
reduction in commercial catches of halibut, sablefish
and Greenland turbot.
Outcomes:
? Adjustments to NMFS stock assessments (in process)
? NPFMC now allows use of pot gear in Gulf of Alaska
DR. KRUSE suggested many members may be aware of killer whales
[Orca whales] taking fish from fishing lines in longline
fisheries in Alaska. This has been a real problem for halibut,
sablefish, and Greenland turbot fisheries, he said. He
explained that the NOAA and NMFS conduct longline surveys and
have had difficulty determining what species has been removing
bait from their lines, which can result in inaccurate stock
assessments. Killer Whale depredation reduces fishermen's
catches and increases their costs. He stated that whales risk
entanglement. He reviewed the results and outcomes.
10:26:16 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 15, titled "Interactions between State
Fisheries and Steller Sea Lions," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Problem: Decline of western stock of Steller sea lions
raised concerns about fishery interactions. Is there
evidence that state fisheries are partly responsible?
Approach: Statistical analysis of trends on sea lion
rookeries and state fishery catches.
Results: No evidence for effects of state fisheries on
sea lions was found.
Outcome: Additional costly restrictions were not
imposed on state-managed fisheries to mitigate effects
on sea lions.
10:27:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS asked about killer whale predation
shown on slide 14. He related his understanding that sperm
whales also were predators. He wondered if the statistics of
35-75 percent reduction was attributed only to killer whales or
to the category of all whale species predation.
DR. KRUSE responded that the statistics referred to both species
and added it was primarily orcas and sperm whales in Southeast.
He offered that orca whales tend to be up north and dominate in
taking Greenland turbot off hooks in the Bering Sea.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said it was amazing that whales
hear the boat hydraulics and beeline to the bottom.
10:28:23 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 16, titled "Analysis of Tanner Crab
Size Limit," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Problem: Many sublegal Tanner crab reach terminal molt
and will never grow to legal size, resulting in
excessive discards and waste. Approach: Computer model
analysis of catch, bycatch, and fishery economics.
Results: Lower size limit reduces discard mortality,
increases CPUE, produces higher yields and revenues,
and lowers marginal fishing costs.
Outcome: Board of Fisheries approved proposal to
reduce the size limit, improving the profitability of
the Tanner crab fishery
DR. KRUSE commented fishermen were catching mature Tanner crab
that were sublegal, dumping back crab that would never become
legal, which resulted in discard mortality. The Bering Sea
Fishery Research Foundation (BSFRF) funded this project. The
Board of Fisheries approved a proposal to reduce the size limit
and it improved the profitability of the Tanner crab fishery, he
said.
10:29:25 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 17, titled "Declines in Size of
Pacific Halibut," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Problem: The average weight of an age-20 halibut
declined from 120 lb in 1988 to 45 lb in 2015. The
stock also declined.
Methods: Cumulative effects of size-selective fishing
and harvest rates were evaluated by simulation models.
Results: High harvest rates and size-selective fishing
explains 30-65% of the decline in the Gulf of Alaska.
Outcome: The International Pacific Halibut Commission
has revised their stock assessment model to fix the
bias.
DR. KRUSE stated that another CFOS project was studying the
declines in the size of Pacific Halibut. He stated that the
CFOS did computer-simulation modeling analyses of the cumulative
effects of size-selective fishing, in other words, fishermen
taking larger fish, and harvest rates. This study found that
high harvest rates and size-selective fishing explained between
30 to 65 percent of the decline in the Gulf of Alaska and up to
100 percent of the decline in Southeast Alaska. The
International Pacific Halibut Commission has modified their
model and fixed the bias. He hoped that this would soon improve
the halibut stocks.
10:30:42 AM
DR. KRUSE turned to slide 18, titled "Beaufort Sea Fish
Monitoring," which showed a photograph and map, and read, in
part, as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Goal: As part of their commitment to environmental and
social responsibility, since 1985 Hilcorp has funded
surveys of nearshore fishes in the Beaufort Sea for
potential impacts of oil and gas development.
Methods: Fyke nets sampled daily from late June to
early September.
Results: Ongoing research is focusing on climate
effects on fish communities, bioenergetics, and
growth.
DR. KRUSE stated that the Beaufort Sea fish monitoring was
funded by the Hilcorp Energy Company, which was a survey of
nearshore fish to explore the potential impacts of oil and gas
development. The researchers sampled the sea with Fyke nets, a
type of fish trap. Although the researchers did not find
impacts from the oil and gas development, this study has found
effects of climate change on fish communities, bioenergetics and
growth. This research funds two graduate students, a fulltime
technician, and a senior undergraduate thesis, he said.
10:31:45 AM
DR. KRUSE summarized his presentation, hoping he had conveyed
the huge role the CFOS plays in Alaska's fisheries. The CFOS's
graduates comprise a large percentage of the scientists and
biologists, biometricians, and managers of state and federal
fisheries. The CFOS performs research, high-quality work that
supports the scientific basis for Alaska's lucrative,
sustainable fisheries. The CFOS serves on the NPFMC's
scientific committee, making decisions about catch limits.
Sustainable Alaska fisheries are the envy of the nation and the
world, he said. The CFOS's program has played a huge role in
that success, he stated. He thanked the committee for its
support.
10:33:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS related his understanding that
funds for the R/V Sikuliaq were secured through federal sources.
He asked whether the presenters could speak more specifically to
the origin of the funding and the operating budget for the R/V
Sikuliaq in terms of contracting out to third party researchers
or continued federal support.
10:33:38 AM
DEAN MORAN agreed the R/V Sikuliaq was paid for with federal
funds. He related that it was built in Wisconsin. He advised
that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided
about $200 million of the federal funding. He related that the
other institutions that operate a global-class vessel are the
University of Washington, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,
Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
University of California San Diego; and Columbia University. In
terms of the operating budget, the CFOS recently submitted the
ship's proposal for $30 million for five years from the National
Science Foundation to continue the R/V Sikuliaq's operations.
Additional funding would come from the Office of Naval Research,
the North Pacific Research Board, and the European Union. The
annual infusion from NSF has been about $12 to $13 million.
10:34:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked for the cost of the Tanner crab
project.
DR. KRUSE did not specifically recall but offered his belief
that the approximate cost was from $75,000 to $100,000 for an
18-month project.
CHAIR STUTES asked whether that information could be provided to
the committee.
10:36:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS appreciated that the R/V
Sikuliaq's homeport was in Alaska and not Lake Union or
somewhere else in the Lower 48. He asked for further
clarification on what services can be supplied to the R/V
Sikuliaq and how it worked to have Alaska as homeport.
DEAN MORAN asked for further clarification on the question and
if it was for shoreside support for the R/V Sikuliaq.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS agreed it was for shoreside report
and to be certain the R/V Sikuliaq was able to obtain routine
maintenance in Alaska.
DEAN MORAN said he was glad for the question and noted it would
be competed by federal law by 2023. He clarified that at that
time the University of Washington could compete to takeover
homeport of the vessel. He stated that shoreside facilities and
cost effectiveness was critical. Currently, the Seward
infrastructure, the dock and shoreside support, need to be
improved to be competitive. He acknowledged that the Hatfield
Science Center at Oregon State University has a very nice
facility. This vessel has been operated as other vessels have,
through the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System
(UNOLS) in terms of scheduling. He stated that he is on very
good terms with many staff, that the CFOS has received very good
post-cruise assessment reports on every cruise. Every single
cruise that works on the North Slope or interacts with the
Alaska Native communities must be presented to the Alaska Eskimo
Whaling Commission one year in advance. Currently the R/V
Sikuliaq operates very well but the state and university must be
mindful that in 2023 others would like to operate the vessel and
will actively compete for the $12 to $13 million budget.
10:39:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS further asked what would need to
happen for the University of Washington or Oregon State
University to wrest control of the R/V Sikuliaq from Alaska.
DEAN MORAN responded that the CFOS will have to write a proposal
to continue operating the R/V Sikuliaq. He added that the R/V
Sikuliaq was the largest infrastructure that the NSF owns in
addition to telescopes.
10:40:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS appreciated the role the college
plays. He further asked for the strategic goals or initiatives
for CFOS future endeavors.
DEAN MORAN answered that he moved to Alaska two years ago. The
staff and faculty provided a decade-long plan, which he offered
to provide it to the committee. He said that the CFOS's
overarching goal is to become a top-notch college of fisheries
and ocean science going forward in research, education, and
public engagement.
10:41:30 AM
CHAIR STUTES thanked CFOS staff, Dr. Kruse and Dr. Moran for
presenting today.
10:42:17 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:42
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation by College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.pdf |
HFSH 2/22/2018 10:00:00 AM |
Presentation College of FIsheries |