04/26/1995 03:45 PM Senate RES

        SJR 22 FISH & MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH BERING SEA                       
                                                                              
 SENATOR LEMAN brought  SJR 22  before the committee as the final              
 order of business.  He said it has been suggested that a resolve              
 clause be added to say that such research be coordinated so that              
 efforts are not duplicated.                                                   
                                                                               
 SENATOR HOFFMAN, prime sponsor of SJR 22, said because the                    
 committee had lost its quorum, he would delay his overview until              
 the next meeting, but he added that he didn't have a problem with             
 adding the suggested language.                                                
                                                                               
 Number 065                                                                    
                                                                               
 GERON BRUCE, Legislative Liaison, Department of Fish & Game, stated           
 the department's support for SJR 22.  The Bering Sea is an                    
 extremely productive system that is very important to Alaska.  He             
 said information needs to be developed because we do not have a               
 very good understanding of the entire system and the interaction of           
 the various biological forces within it.                                      
                                                                               
 Number 078                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN requested that Mr. Bruce work with committee staff on           
 language that efforts not be duplicated, that the funds be used               
 efficiently in getting information that will help in the management           
 of that resource.  MR. BRUCE agreed to work with staff in crafting            
 some language, but he also pointed out that all of the research               
 that the department does is directed towards specific management              
 questions in managing these fisheries, and the kind of research               
 that this resolution is requesting would not duplicate anything               
 that is being done by the Department of Fish & Game at this time.             
                                                                               
 Number 095                                                                    
                                                                               
 DEAN PADDOCK, representing the Bristol Drift Netter's Association,            
 voiced their strong support for the resolution, and he commended              
 Senator Hoffman for its introduction.  Although the Bristol salmon            
 fishermen would not be the direct recipients of the benefits of               
 research of this type, they feel that they would benefit indirectly           
 because so little is known and anything that is learned will filter           
 down to them.  He believes that the beneficiaries will be the crab            
 fishermen, the cod fishermen, the rock sole fishermen, etc.                   
                                                                               
 Number 155                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR HOFFMAN noted that Senator Ted Stevens and Representative             
 Don Young are asking for input from people throughout Alaska on the           
 Magnuson Act, and he thinks the healthiness of the Bering Sea is              
 directly related to that along with the fine bullet points that               
 they are urging for a healthy fishery.                                        
                                                                               
 Number 170                                                                    
                                                                               
 KIM METCALFE-HELMAR, Special Assistant, Department of Community &             
 Regional Affairs, said that department is involved in management of           
 the CDQ pollack program, and a healthy pollack fisheries is                   
 essential for continuation of this program that brings about $20              
 million in annual income to 56 Western Alaska communities.  The               
 department urges the committee's support of SJR 22.                           
                                                                               
 There being no further testimony on SJR 22, SENATOR LEMAN stated it           
 would be back before the committee at its next meeting.