02/08/1995 05:05 PM House FSH

 Number 000                                                                    
 HFSH - 02/08/95                                                               
 HJR 23 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FISHING QUOTAS                               
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that this resolution would be heard but             
 the intent was not to move it out of committee tonight.                       
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN said, "This resolution asks the North Pacific              
 Fisheries Management Council to allocate the ground fish and crab             
 to the Western Alaska Community Development Quota.  Currently the             
 North Pacific Fisheries Management Council is working on it.  This            
 resolution has a sunset clause on it, so if its not renewed this go           
 around, it will go away."                                                     
                                                                               
 NORMAN COHEN, Executive Director, Coastal Villages Fisheries                  
 Cooperative said, "They are one of six groups formed to participate           
 in the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program.  We are made up             
 of 17 villages along the southern portion of the Yukon-Kuskokwim              
 Delta.  We strongly support this resolution.  The CDQ program                 
 started in 1992, and was the first opportunity for residents of               
 small Western Alaska villages to have any serious entry into the              
 Bering sea fisheries.  The program, if ended, would stop things in            
 their tracks."                                                                
                                                                               
 Number 079                                                                    
                                                                               
 MIKE IRWIN, Commissioner Designate, Department of Community and               
 Regional Affairs (C&RA) spoke on behalf of the Knowles                        
 Administration.  He remarked on how important this program is to              
 rural Alaska.  He stated, "The Knowles Administration is offering             
 a friendly amendment to the resolution that would make the CDQ                
 program permanent through the Magnuson Act.  The program is a model           
 for resource development and extraction that can be applied to                
 other portions of the state.  Jobs, training and economic                     
 development are accomplished by the CDQ program."                             
                                                                               
 Number 137                                                                    
                                                                               
 GERON BRUCE, Legislative Liaison, Department of Fish and Game                 
 stated, "The ADFG supports this resolution and the amendment                  
 offered.  We have prepared testimony, in writing, that will be                
 provided."                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 178                                                                    
                                                                               
 KARL OHLS, Executive Director, Western Alaska Fisheries Development           
 Association, speaking via teleconference stated, "The pollock                 
 allocation for CDQ's will expire at the end of 1995 and there is a            
 proposal to extend that for three years.  The North Pacific Council           
 is working on a comprehesive rationalization plan that would create           
 a allocation system for all the species under management.  If your            
 going to develop this allocation for all the species, then include            
 a portion for CDQ's."                                                         
                                                                               
 Number 249                                                                    
                                                                               
 MR. TIM of Bethel spoke via teleconference in support of HJR 23.              
 Number 292                                                                    
                                                                               
 MR. OGAN moved to adopt amendment number one to HJR 23.                       
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN said hearing no opposition, amendment number one           
 was passed.