Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/14/1994 08:15 AM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 59 - Wanton Waste of Fish N. Pacific/Bering Sea REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES, PRIME SPONSOR, stated there is an executive summary contained in members' folders entitled "Discards In The Groundfish Fisheries Of The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands & The Gulf Of Alaska During 1992". He said the document was prepared for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) by Pacific Associates. He pointed out that statistics used in HJR 59 are found in the executive summary. He urged committee members to adopt HJR 59 and move it from the committee. He said the message contained in the resolution is very timely in light of the activities within Congress on federal reauthorizations and other bills, addressing conservation of fishery resources within federally managed waters. Number 037 PAUL SEATON, PRESIDENT, ALASKA MARINE CONSERVATION COUNCIL, testified via teleconference and expressed support for HJR 59. He said the Alaska Marine Conservation Council has been working with the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council to develop a method of reducing waste and discards in the North Pacific. He stressed waste and discards are impacting all fisheries. He stated Senator Murkowski has a bill introduced already and Senator Stevens has a bill which is in the drafting stage. He urged the committee to pass HJR 59 to further interest the Senators to look at the issue in a way that will resolve it to the benefit of Alaska. (CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted for the record that REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY had joined the committee at 8:30 a.m.) Number 066 SEAN MARTIN, PRESIDENT, HOMER CHARTER ASSOCIATION, testified via teleconference and expressed support of HJR 59. RICK LAUBER, REPRESENTATIVE, PACIFIC SEAFOOD PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION (PSPA), AND CHAIRMAN, NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NPFMC), stated PSPA supports HJR 59. The waste and discards of fish ongoing offshore is a disgrace. He said Alaska has had a wanton waste statute for many years allowing discards, including roe stripping, salmon herring, etc., but the policy does not include waters off the coast of Alaska or the U.S. He noted the bill drafted by Senator Murkowski makes it clear that the NPFMC could direct its attention toward the wanton waste. MR. LAUBER remarked he was intrigued with a recent speech given by Don Tyson of Tyson Chicken and Tyson Seafoods who is the owner of the largest factory trawler operation off the coast of Alaska. He said Mr. Tyson indicated Tyson Chicken utilizes all of the chicken. Mr. Lauber wondered why Mr. Tyson discards so much fish in his fishing operation. He stated it is the position of PSPA that all fish should be brought to shore and if the fish is caught, it is kept; if it is kept, it is utilized. He pointed out there are millions and millions of pounds of fish being wasted and at some point, the public is going to force the industry to clean up its act. THERESA WEISER, SITKA, testified via teleconference and expressed support of HJR 59. She felt the resolution is timely and appropriate especially in light of other problems being dealt with in the sport fishing industry. REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE made a motion to ADOPT CS HJR 59(FSH). CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED. REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE made a motion to MOVE CS HJR 59(FSH) with a zero fiscal note out of committee with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS. CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|