04/03/1998 01:35 PM Senate JUD

                                                                               
               HB 310 - UTILIZATION OF GROUNDFISH                              
                                                                               
MS. AMY DAUGHERTY, staff to bill sponsor Representative Alan                   
Austerman, presented the bill as a simple one that merely extends              
the existing ban on the waste of pollock to include all groundfish.            
MS. DAUGHERTY explained that the North Pacific Fisheries Management            
Council has begun to mandate increased utilization of groundfish               
under their plan titled Increased Retention/Increased Utilization              
(IR/IU). The authority to do this already exists for offshore                  
processors and vessels, yet onshore processors are left out of the             
loop. MS. DAUGHERTY concluded this authority needs to be expanded              
to include onshore processors as well.                                         
                                                                               
MR. JOE KYLE, the industry committee chair for the National Pacific            
Fisheries Management Council said this bill is a simple addition to            
the federal regulations that has broad support throughout the                  
fishing industry.                                                              
                                                                               
MS. CHRIS BLACKBURN, representing trawl vessels and shore-based                
processors, said this rule is being complied with now voluntarily              
and is widely supported by her constituents. She said the bill is              
in the tradition of Alaska's long term conservation and will                   
increase care in targeting species for capture.                                
                                                                               
MR. AL BURCH, representing the Alaska's Draggers Association,                  
expressed support for the bill which reflects the current common               
practice. The bill closes a possible loophole and he urged its                 
passage.                                                                       
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR announced he will entertain a motion to move the               
bill when he regained a quorum. He then brought up SB 216 as the               
next order of business.                                                        
SENATOR PEARCE moved CSSB 310 out of committee with individual                 
recommendations and without objection, it was so ordered.                      
                                                                               
Having no further business to come before the committee, they were             
adjourned at 2:55 p.m.