Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/25/2002 01:10 PM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 508-DIVE FISHERY ASSOCIATIONS/PSP REPORTS CO-CHAIR SCALZI announced the final order of business, HOUSE BILL NO. 508, "An Act relating to publication of results of testing for paralytic shellfish poisoning by the Department of Environmental Conservation and to participation of the Department of Environmental Conservation in the development of operating plans of qualified regional dive fishery associations." Number 1300 CO-CHAIR SCALZI, speaking on behalf of the House Resources Standing Committee, sponsor of HB 508, explained that paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a serious biological disorder that occurs naturally in shellfish; therefore, it is in the state's best interest to ensure that it is monitored to the best of the state's ability through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The reporting of this disorder, as well as the testing, is an advantage to the dive-fish industry in particular, so that information can be posted online as soon as possible. In addition, the department will benefit by shifting the [responsibility] of making the announcement to the industry, rather than having to send out individual facsimiles as the [test results] become available. It creates an efficiency and is also available for the general public to know which beaches or areas may have concentrations of PSP. Number 1186 CO-CHAIR SCALZI addressed the second part of the bill, which speaks to DEC's involvement, along with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), in the development of the associations for the dive [fisheries]. He explained that DEC is [supportive] because it will be more involved and will have "upfront" information and input regarding the dive fishery. He clarified that [HB 508] was requested by the [shellfish] industry in concurrence with DEC. Number 1127 JULIE DECKER, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association (SARDFA), testified via teleconference. She told the committee SARDFA supports HB 508; she also mentioned that a letter of support had been submitted to the committee. She offered some background on how DEC currently distributes PSP results. In the past, lab personnel faxed the shipper who'd paid for the test as soon as possible after the results were known. This year, upon the request of SARDFA - which paid for the first 19 tests in the geoduck season - the lab faxed all registered geoduck shippers, DEC regulators, and the SARDFA office when the results were known; then SARDFA sent e-mails to its members and posted the results on its web site. MS. DECKER explained that ADF&G currently has a system of posting its news releases through software that allows sending an e-mail contained in the news release to its distribution list of people and posting the news release on its web site - all with a "single click of a button." She highlighted reasons to post the PSP results on the web site. First, it creates a more efficient process for the DEC lab to distribute the results. Second, it eliminates problems associated [the question of] "who is allowed or when they are allowed to see PSP results"; if DEC is removed from having to deal with that issue at all, the results will automatically get posted, enabling public access to that information. Third, it fits a "vision" of a developed shellfish industry in Alaska, which is performing PSP testing on a regular basis in certain areas of the state. For example, in Washington [State], where many PSP tests are performed daily in an area, regulators are able to use this information to track PSP blooms, she noted. MS. DECKER explained that this web site would allow both regulators and the public to track PSP blooms in an area in real time. In addition, the web site would be used by the DEC lab, DEC regulators, shellfish shippers, SARDFA, ADF&G biologists, aquatic farmers, potential [aquatic] farmers looking for new farm sites, subsistence users, and PSP researchers. She remarked that she hopes DEC includes all historical PSP on the web site to make it an all-inclusive site. MS. DECKER mentioned that she'd e-mailed Rodger Painter of the Alaskan Shellfish Growers Association (ASGA), and he didn't have any problems with HB 508; however, he'd mentioned possibly adding the Jellet Biotek [Limited (JBL)] data of community monitoring programs currently being established by Ray RaLonde. She also mentioned a conversation with Lee Gerber, NorQuest Seafoods, Inc., plant manager in Ketchikan; she said Mr. Gerber recognized the possibility of hysteria surrounding misinformation in the food industry but had offered NorQuest's support for HB 508. MS. DECKER referred to the annual operating section. She said DEC currently works in coordination and planning with ADF&G and SARDFA; however, it's been difficult to bring everyone together at the appropriate time for preplanning of the fisheries. She said she thought bringing DEC into the annual operating plan process with ADF&G and SARDFA would help all three groups plan with an appropriate timeline. In conclusion, Ms. Decker said she believes HB 508 is part of SARDFA's larger goal of creating a more efficient industry that maximizes the value of its resources. Number 0819 CO-CHAIR SCALZI agreed that [HB 508] is a small piece of a larger plan. He mentioned HB 208 [relating to aquatic farms for shellfish]. Number 0772 CHERYL SUTTON, Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association (SARDFA), testified before the committee. She told members that in 1997 legislation was passed that allowed creation of the Regional Dive Fishery Association. She said she was the person who drafted that bill, but hadn't had the foresight to include DEC. She said she'd put ADF&G in [the bill] because it is a partner in management, but DEC is very involved because the fisheries cannot occur without [DEC's] approval on PSP testing for all of the shellfish species. She highlighted the desire to have [DEC] in the planning process; get the problems out of the way upfront; and have a better view of how the fishery is going to occur, how much testing has to be done, how much it will cost the industry to pay for the testing, and so forth. MS. SUTTON mentioned that Janice Adair [Director, Division of Environmental Health, DEC] had indicated in a letter that some people in the industry might not like to have PSP results posted [on a web site]. Ms. Sutton told members that in all of her experience, however, she cannot think of a downside to posting PSP results on a web site. She indicated Japanese buyers don't care about the level of micrograms, and that she couldn't foresee [posting of PSP results] as a tactic to scare buyers; rather, it would be a public-information source so people could plan more effectively. She specified that although [scaring buyers] was a concern for DEC, she didn't see any need not to post all PSP results for all of the species. She said HB 508 is a great bill and encouraged the committee to pass it. Number 0588 CO-CHAIR SCALZI mentioned an amendment drafted on behalf of SARDFA, which addressed Ms. Adair's letter. He asked Ms. Sutton if she was in support of the amendment. MS. SUTTON reiterated that she could not think of any reason why posting results on an Internet site would harm anyone. She said she thought it would be good [to do] for all PSP [results]. CO-CHAIR SCALZI said the committee would not move that amendment. Number 0489 CO-CHAIR MASEK referred to a letter submitted by Julie Decker, which says it is necessary to establish a state web site where all PSP results will be posted. She asked if DEC [currently] has the role of deciding who will receive the PSP results. CO-CHAIR SCALZI explained that when DEC does [PSP] testing, it only notifies the person for whom those tests are performed. Posting that information on a web site would allow everybody [equal access to the results]. [PSP results] are public information; it is beneficial if everybody knows [those results]. Number 0321 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN moved to report HB 508 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 508 was moved out of the House Resources Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|