Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/23/2001 05:12 PM House FSH
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 23, 2001
5:12 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Gary Stevens, Co-Chair
Representative Peggy Wilson, Co-Chair
Representative Drew Scalzi
Representative Fred Dyson
Representative John Coghill
Representative Beth Kerttula
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mary Kapsner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Board of Fisheries
Russell Nelson - Dillingham
Dr. John White - Bethel
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
RUSSELL NELSON, Appointee
to the Board of Fisheries
PO Box 161
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
KEVIN HOGAN
PO Box 2228
Homer, Alaska 99603
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the reconfirmation of Dr.
White due to its being his third term, and expressed his support
for the reconfirmation of Mr. Nelson.
TREFON ANGASAN
(No address provided)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White.
JUDE HENZLER, Executive Director
Bering Sea Fishermen's Association
725 Christensen Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Nelson and against the appointment of Dr. White.
BRUCE GABRYS
Fishing Vessel Owners Association;
Member, Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council
10299 Baffin Street
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson's
reconfirmation and against the reconfirmation of Dr. White.
ROBIN SAMUELSEN
PO Box 412
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White's reconfirmations.
HJALMAR OLSON
PO Box 456
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White's appointments.
ROBERT HEYANO
PO Box 1409
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
TERRY HOEFFERLE
Bristol Bay Native Association
PO Box 310
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White's appointments.
HARVEY SAMUELSON
PO Box 18
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
BORIS KOSBURK
(No address provided)
Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White
ROBERT WILLIAMS, President
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association (KPFA)
PO Box 206
Kasilof, Alaska 99610
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointment of Dr.
White, and noted he supported Mr. Nelson's appointment.
DICK BISHOP
1555 Gus's Grind
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White.
DR. JOHN WHITE, Appointee
to the Board of Fisheries
PO Box 190
Bethel, Alaska 99559
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
JERRY MERRIGAN
Petersburg Vessel Owners Association
PO Box 232
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson, and
against Dr. White.
JENNIFER HOOPER
Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP);
56 member villages of Southwest Alaska
PO Box 219
Bethel, Alaska 99559
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Dr. White's
appointment.
DALE BONDURANT
31864 Moonshine Drive
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White.
DAVID MARTIN, Chairman
Central Peninsula Advisory Committee
71605 Sterling Highway
Clam Gulch, Alaska 99568
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointments of Mr.
Nelson and Dr. White.
STEVE VANEK
PO Box 103
Ninilchik, Alaska 99639
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointment of Dr.
White.
MARK POWELL
46655 A Spur Highway
Kenai, Alaska 99611
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointment of Dr.
White.
MARK GLASSMAKER, Secretary and Treasurer
Kenai River Professional Guide Association
PO Box 1316
Sterling, Alaska 99672
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Dr. White's
appointment.
RANDY BERG
PO Box 4177
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
ROD BERG
266 Redwood Court
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
STEPHEN RIDDLE
1535 Angler Driver
Kenai, Alaska 99611
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
JOE HARDY
PO Box 3391
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmation
of Dr. White.
GARY KERNAN
PO Box 642
Kenai, Alaska 99611
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White.
DREW SPARLIN
(No address provided)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointment of Dr.
White.
JOE MALATESTA
PO Box 318
Clam Gulch, Alaska 99568
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the reconfirmation of Dr.
White.
STAN BLOOM
(No address provided)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Dr. White and Mr. Nelson.
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR
878 Lynnwood Way
North Pole, Alaska 99705
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Dr. White and Mr. Nelson
PAUL SHADURA II
PO Box 1632
Kenai, Alaska 99611
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against the appointment of Dr.
White.
CARL ROSIER, President
Alaska Outdoor Council (AOC)
8298 Garnet Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the reconfirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
ACTION NARRATIVE
DRAFT
TAPE 01-19, SIDE A
Number 0001
CO-CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 5:12 p.m. Representatives Scalzi,
Dyson, Coghill, Kerttula, Wilson, and Stevens were present at
the call to order.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Board of Fisheries
CO-CHAIR STEVENS announced that the committee would be hearing
the confirmations for Russell Nelson of Dillingham and John
White of Bethel for the Board of Fisheries. He said the goal
was to move the hearings forward to the speaker [of the House]
for consideration by the full legislature.
Number 0128
RUSSELL NELSON, Appointee to the Board of Fisheries, testified
via teleconference:
I would like to express my desire to serve another
term on the Board of [Fisheries]. During the past
three years, I've worked hard to understand the issues
of all the fisheries around the state of Alaska, and
make fair decisions for the conservation and
development of these fisheries. Two policies that the
Board of [Fisheries] during the last two years that I
support are the sustainable fisheries policy and the
committee process. The sustainable fisheries policy
ensures that the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and
Board of [Fisheries] are proactive in preserving our
fishery resources and into the future, while the
committee process helps to give the public and the
Board of [Fisheries] committee members a more
interactive method of solving contingent proposals
that come before the board. And that's all I have.
Number 0243
REPRESENTATIVE DYSON asked how long he has lived in Bristol Bay.
MR. NELSON replied that he has lived in Bristol Bay since he was
born in 1956.
REPRESENTATIVE DYSON inquired as to what years he fished in
Bristol Bay.
MR. NELSON said he fished in the 70s and into the 80s.
REPRESENTATIVE DYSON asked if he mostly fished the Nushagak
[River].
MR. NELSON said yes, but he has also fished the Kvichak,
[Nushagak], fished for herring in Kodiak, gillnetted herring,
fished on a seiner, and has spotted for gillnetters and seiners.
After fishing onboard the boats, he spotted for salmon until the
Board of Fisheries chose not to have spotters for Bristol Bay
salmon. He remarked that he supports the Board of Fisheries'
decision on this matter.
Number 0525
KEVIN HOGAN testified via teleconference that he was here to
comment on Dr. White's appointment. However, he said he
endorses the appointment of Mr. Nelson.
Number 0533
TREFON ANGASAN testified via teleconference. He said he was a
commercial fisherman and former member on the Board of
Fisheries. He said he supports Mr. Nelson for the same reasons
that he [Mr. Nelson] gave. He thinks he is an effective board
member and that conservation has been his forte. This needs to
be continued, especially the board's sustainable fisheries
policy, which is important for the future.
MR. ANGASAN remarked that he also wanted to testify in support
of Dr. White for the same reasons that Mr. Nelson has discussed
in terms of being an effective board member. He said that Dr.
White has probably maintained the same kind of philosophy [as
Mr. Nelson] on the Board of Fisheries. Mr. Angasan mentioned
that while serving on the Board of Fisheries with Dr. White, he
began to introduce the concept of sustainable fisheries. He
said this will probably be what is going to save "all of us in
the future."
MR. ANGASAN stated that he is a commercial fisherman and has
suffered the radical swings in the fishery like all Alaska
fishermen have. So, he recognizes the value of having a
comprehensive recovery plan that would allow "us" to plan into
the future. If these programs do not exist, and "we" don't have
board members like Mr. Nelson and Dr. White who are conservation
oriented, "I think we may as well start advocating for fish
farms," he said.
MR. ANGASAN remarked that this is not the way "we" want to go.
He said there is still hope in the fishery and that it's
important to keep continuity. He went on to say:
Right now we're going through a major swing in the
fishery, and if you shift horses in the middle of the
stream, I think we wouldn't ... give the opportunity
for the Board [of Fisheries] to see through the things
that they've done in ... the last year to try to get
this fishery back on its feet.
MR. ANGASAN stated that AYK [Arctic Yukon-Kuskokwim] has never
had a solid fishery and Bristol Bay does not get "minimum
escapement." He indicated that it was important for Mr. Nelson
and Dr. White to remain on the Board of Fisheries to see this.
They have "been there when the fishing was good and they're
trying to bring it back," he concluded.
Number 0805
JUDE HENZLER, Executive Director, Bering Sea Fishermen's
Association, testified via teleconference that he wanted to
"second" what Mr. Angasan said. He said:
Our fishermen and women really need some kind of help,
and we think that [Dr.] White and [Mr.] Russell are
people that can do it. [We've] got a calamity in our
streams in Western Alaska. Thank You.
Number 0885
BRUCE GABRYS, Fishing Vessel Owners Association; Member, Cook
Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, testified via
teleconference that he agrees with Mr. Nelson's second term of
appointment to the Board of Fisheries. However, he has some
concerns about Dr. White's appointment regarding "stacking
terms to third terms." He went on to say:
We're talking about nine years for the same individual
on the Board [of Fisheries], and these boards are set
up as lay boards, not as professional boards. If the
state chooses to go to a professional board, perhaps
maybe we should move in that direction. And the Board
of [Fisheries] is a tough job and it takes a lot of
patience and it takes a lot of cooperation by
different members. In the case of Dr. White, I think
he needs to be a little bit more considerate of the
public when they testify. He seems to have a problem
with allowing people to finish when they have an idea
that perhaps is somewhat different than his own.
Number 0943
ROBIN SAMUELSON testified via teleconference that he was in
support of Mr. Nelson. He said:
I think he's demonstrated throughout the state of
Alaska that he is a good (indisc.) of resource. He
has followed the state mandate by putting fish first,
[and is] very conservation minded. He supports
subsistence and its priority afforded by you folks and
[the] legislature. Russell [Nelson] also brings a
unique perspective to the Board [of Fisheries]. He's
not only commercial fish[ed], but he's also a land
manager for the village corporation here that has a
lot of interaction with the sports fish community.
And I think through Russell's efforts, he has been
able to erode the friction to some degree between the
commercial and sports fishermen on the Nushagak River.
... But he's represented the state very well not only
for his own district, which is Bristol Bay, but the
rest of the state of Alaska. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Number 1037
HJALAMAR OLSON testified via teleconference and thanked the
committee for giving "us" the opportunity to state "our" support
for the reappointment of these board members. He said he
supports the second-term appointment of Mr. Nelson. He remarked
that Mr. Nelson did well in his first term representing the
interests of Bristol Bay fishermen. Mr. Olson mentioned that he
has fished all his life, for over 50 years. He stated, it is
"amazing how fast Russell [came] up to speed on other statewide
fisheries."
Number 1088
ROBERT HEYANO testified via teleconference that he is in support
of Mr. Nelson. He said he has done an excellent job in his
first three years. In his opinion, one's first term is
basically a learning curve. He said, "You've got various
fisheries not only in salt water, but fresh water. It takes a
lot of time and (indisc.) to get up to speed." He remarked that
Mr. Nelson was "extremely accessible" during meetings and when
they were not in session. He also said he did an excellent job
in making the difficult calls to protect the resources.
Number 1161
TERRY HOEFFERLE, Bristol Bay Native Association, testified via
teleconference that the association has about 6,000 members
throughout the villages of Bristol Bay. About 56 percent of the
[members'] households in Bristol Bay mostly live from the
fishing industry. He remarked that he couldn't think of any
appointments more important to the Bristol Bay Native
Association than these Board of Fisheries appointments. He said
he endorses the nominations of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White. He has
watched Mr. Nelson work for the past several years and Dr. White
work for several terms. He stated that they are unselfish and
provide unflagging service to the people of the state. He
indicated that their dedication to conservation of resources is
an inspiration to him. He said, "They both epitomize the
concept of public service." He went on to say:
I would like to speak particularly on behalf of Dr.
White's appointment. I've known Dr. White for 30
years, ... and I understand that he may have some
people speaking against his candidacy here this
afternoon, and I just have to say that Dr. White has a
keen intelligence and a fine understanding of the
science of fisheries management. ... I think that
his presence on the Board [of Fisheries] is very
important to us at this time for a number of reasons.
One is that as a health care administrator as well as
a tooth puller, I think that Dr. White has got a fine
understanding ... that science is statistics. And I
think that he can talk "chi square" analysis and
regression analysis along with the best of the
scientists that the department has working for it.
And I think that kind of an understanding and the
ability to (indisc.) to ask challenging questions to
the department scientific staff is particularly
important. And I think that that's a key role that
Dr. White plays on the Board [of Fisheries]. I think
that with the ... critical situation in our fisheries
right now, the failure of spawning streams and whole
river drainages, I think that the importance of
talking about comprehensive recovery plans and
sustainable fisheries, which has been a key element of
Dr. White's incumbency on the board, is critically
important to us now. And I would urge you to
reappoint him to the Board [of Fisheries]. Thank you
very much, Mr. Chairman.
Number 1406
HARVEY SAMUELSEN testified via teleconference. He said he has
lived in Bristol Bay "forever." He indicated that the current
tough times in the fisheries remind him of times in the 1950s,
when there were poor fishing seasons. He said, "We used to go
on strikes all the time to get spawners up to the lakes." He
stated that Mr. Nelson and Dr. White have intelligence, listen
to people, and are "down to the fisherman level." They are not
bureaucratic, and they listen to the "common folk right from the
ground up." He stated that he would like both to be reappointed
to the Board of Fisheries.
Number 1567
BORIS KOSBURK testified via teleconference that he knows Dr.
White and Mr. Nelson. He indicated that he went before the
Board [of Fisheries] a few years ago due to a situation that
occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. It came to a point where he
had to go back before the Board of Fisheries to try to "get our
resources filled up again." He said the support he received
from Dr. White was "unbelievable." He also mentioned that Mr.
Nelson is well known and understands "our" problems. He stated
that the village of Perryville supports Dr. White and Mr.
Nelson's appointments to the Board of Fisheries.
Number 1667
ROBERT WILLIAMS, President, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's
Association, commented that he was here to speak on Dr. White's
confirmation hearing. However, he supports the appointment of
Mr. Nelson.
Number 1672
DICK BISHOP testified that he lives in Fairbanks and fishes for
salmon and whitefish for subsistence and personal use. He
mentioned that he has a limited entry permit for the Tanana
River. He stated that he has a strong and long-time interest in
the fisheries of the state, principally for personal use. He
wanted to testify because he believes the governor's
justification for reappointing Mr. Nelson and Dr. White, "an
emphasis in experience and continuity," was the right way to go.
MR. BISHOP commented that these factors have been extremely
important in his experience with the Board of Fisheries and
Board of Game. He mentioned that he worked for the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) for over 20 years as a
wildlife biologist and administrator. He noted that a couple of
people have been on the "board" for a long time. For example,
Sydney Huntington (ph) "an outstanding board member" put in 20
years; Sam Harbo (ph) served 10-15 years; and Jim Reardon (ph)
served over ten years on the Board [of Game]. He said this was
a very effective Board [of Game]. He indicated that the way the
governor chose this particular Board of Game is how he chose
appointments to the Board of Fisheries.
MR. BISHOP stated that he is in support of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White because he believes they have done a really good job on
the Board of Fisheries. His perception was that "they are not
provincial or territorial, [and] that their interests have run
across the state in terms foremost of sound resource
conservation and their allocation."
Number 1821
MR. NELSON thanked the people who have supported him.
Number 1870
JOHN WHITE, D.D.S., Appointee to the Board of Fisheries,
testified via teleconference. He referred to his earlier
testimony at the House Resources Standing Committee and
reiterated his reasons for wanting to continue to serve on the
Board of Fisheries. First, he wants to see the sustainable
fisheries policy through to its maturity in order to "entertain
other regulatory processes" that have begun in other parts of
the state. He also hopes for the first time to establish a
constructive link between the North Pacific Anadromous Fish
Commission (NAPFC), in which he is currently an advisor, and the
Board of Fisheries. He hopes to also have an interlocking
relationship between those parties and the "North Pacific
Council on Salmon Research that's so critically needed
throughout the state." He said it is especially needed in
Western Alaska. He went on to say:
We have river systems on their knees from the Kvichak
to the headwaters of the Yukon River in Canada. So,
we have critical conservation concerns on the
Kuskokwim River, Yukon River and Norton Sound, Kvichak
River, and Bristol Bay. And I would like to be able
to serve again to be available to interact on issues
that will come up concerning those conservation crises
on our rivers at this time. That's all I have, Mr.
Chairman. Thank you very much for your time.
Number 1978
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI referred to areas such as Cook Inlet and
southeast Cordova, which are experiencing a growth in the
conflict of sports use and commercial use. He said dense
populations often inflict pressure on the Board [of Fisheries]
to reallocate. He asked what Dr. White's vision is for
commercial fisheries in these areas where there are high-density
populations. He asked if there is a plan he would like to see
implemented statewide that would "secure commercial fisheries in
these hot spots," or if he is in "favor of dissolving some of
these areas and letting it go to sport."
Number 2056
DR. WHITE said "absolutely not." He remarked that he would be
happy to work with Representative Scalzi for the next three
years to ensure that community and economic development planning
not be done in front of the Board of Fisheries. He believes
that commercial fishing and sports fishing communities need to
resolve these problems "at home and not make them allocation
win/lose battles before this Board [of Fisheries]."
DR. WHITE indicated that the last time he met with people about
the Kenai Peninsula, he told them that the "grave error" that
has been going on for too long is that people are doing economic
development around fish allocation. He believes communities
have to decide what they want. They "need to sit down,
neighbor-to-neighbor, with people and try to find stabilizations
in all sectors of the community," he said. The primary concern
should be the stabilization of the communities and the economic
well-being of the different sectors, whether sport or
commercial. [Communities] should try to have some long-term
economic development planning that stabilizes these things,
"so that we do not continue to do economic development in front
of the Board of Fisheries around allocation." He said, "I hope
that's direct enough, sir. I feel that passionately."
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI remarked that he concurred. He referred
to a Board of Fisheries position which opposes the IFQ
[Individual Fishing Quota] plan for charters; he mentioned the
North Pacific [Fishery] Management Council. He noted that he
had reservations about this as well. However, he asked Dr.
White if he sees a problem with the uncurtailed growth in that
industry and if he has a solution, since this will be discussed
in the Local Area Management Plans (LAMP) process that will be
going on with the Board of Fisheries and North Pacific [Fishery]
Management Council.
DR. WHITE stated he thinks this answer is "ditto," because it
goes along with his answer to the previous question [regarding
sports fishing versus commercial fishing]. He commented that he
would have liked to see the LAMP and hear the public, and for
that decision to have occurred after that. He went on to say,
"we're going to go out, we're going to take testimony, [and] I'm
going to continue to keep an open mind about all this." He
remarked that in the future, "we got to get people to the
table." Afterwards, if there is a better way to do this, "we
have to get it back in front of the regulatory boss."
Number 2222
MR. HOGAN testified via teleconference and thanked Dr. White for
his service. However, he expressed concern about the length of
time he has been on the Board of Fisheries. Another
reappointment would bring his service to almost ten years. He
remarked that as much as the board needs continuity and
experience, he thinks it also needs "fresh blood." He would
like to see the governor appoint someone who represents the
processors or someone who is from (indisc.), since lately these
regions have been underrepresented. He noted that Dr. White has
"done a fine job and we appreciate his service." But, it's also
time for some "new blood."
Number 2289
JERRY MERRIGAN, Petersburg Vessel Owners Association, testified
via teleconference that he has been going to Board of Fisheries
meetings for a long time, and has seen various boards and
chairmen. He noted that at times he disagrees with both Mr.
Nelson and Dr. White. But he supports Mr. Nelson because he
feels that he listens to him. He stated that originally he
thought this about Dr. White, but not anymore.
MR. MERRIGAN urged the committee to oppose the confirmation of
Dr. White, on behalf of the Petersburg Vessel Association. He
said he appreciates his service of three terms. However, they
believe that two terms are enough and a time for change is long
overdue. "We" also think commercial fishing is underrepresented
on the Board of Fisheries. Real fishermen are needed, "people
that actually make some money doing this and actually
participate on the ocean, " he said. He went on to say:
We think the Board of [Fisheries] is heavily skewed
towards terminal and in river fishery. We think the
Board of [Fisheries] has been lacking some geographic
balance that you heard about. Internally, there's
three representatives representing Western Alaska
fisheries (Bethel, Dillingham, and Upper Yukon)....
Southeast [Alaska] has had but one seat for ten years,
while Kodiak and Prince William Sound [have] held no
seats for the same duration. Alaska Peninsula has not
[had] a seat on the Board of [Fisheries] in six years.
We think that two terms is enough. One of the telling
signs is when people have been serving too long on a
public board is when they decide maybe they don't need
the public anymore. This is kind of evident in the
recent turn of events in regards to the Board of
[Fisheries] coming to a position on how to charter
IFQs without the benefit of a public meeting or public
input or public notice. ... I reference the March 28
letter from Mr. Chairman Dan Coffey to North Pacific
[Fishery Management] Council. I haven't seen any
board members but one descend from that position. ...
So I assume everybody else is onboard. But we believe
this contradicts public process,and that's a sign that
things need to change.
We've also been in opposition of Dr. White in terms of
the hatchery chum issue which was tabled indefinitely
with the Board of [Fisheries]. It seems like it first
came up in '97, and it then came up in '99 and was
tabled and finally was voted down to no action to
January 2001 [at the] Board of [Fisheries] meeting.
Board of [Fisheries] standing rules said "take no
action," [which] has the effect of killing [a]
proposal. There are two reasons for taking no action.
Number one is [they] found proposals beyond the
board's authority. We had to attend many, many, many
meetings beyond what was reasonable. It was very
clear the Board [of Fisheries] did not have the
authority, and that's what the boards themselves
concluded two [to] three years after the date.
Another Board of [Fisheries] standing rule [is] do not
change or reverse the intent of a proposal or an
issue. At the January Board of [Fisheries] meeting, I
watched Dr. White take a proposal establishing a
gillnet herring fishery in Dutch Harbor and add a
punitive overage pay back policy in regards to a
(indisc.) fishery. I was on a receiving end of what
constitutes practical public notice. I see a 180-
degree turn from what was expressed at a March 2000
meeting in regard to an ADAC (ph) issue and what I saw
at the January 2001 Board of [Fisheries] meeting.
MR. MERRIGAN indicated that he was not sure what he thought of
the sustainable fisheries policy, since he sees it as "an ever-
maturing doctrine" that will never be completed. Therefore, he
is not sure how keeping a board member until this policy is
carried through is possible. He said, "It's a very broadly
written document" that reads like the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
He mentioned that other people could carry this task out, and
that it is time for some "fresh air" on the Board of Fisheries.
He asked the committee to commend Dr. White on his service, but
not to reconfirm him.
Number 2495
JENNIFER HOOPER, Association of Village Council Presidents
(AVCP), speaking on behalf of its 56 member villages of
Southwest Alaska, testified via teleconference:
I'm here to ask that Dr. White be reappointed to this
board. He has tremendous expertise and knowledge in
all of the fisheries. And all the people who have
commented before - talking about time for fresh air,
new blood, the disasters that we've seen - regardless
of what the cause is, Dr. White has been involved
since their beginning. Since they started he has seen
what has happened. He has worked accordingly, and I
think it is the absolute worst time to bring in
somebody new, ... regardless of their expertise and
knowledge.
I think Dr. White has shown he is very fair. He has
respect for all people that attend the Board of
[Fisheries] meeting, and I think he does listen to
everybody who approaches him. I've witnessed ... many
Board of [Fisheries] meetings and the way Dr. White
works, and I think he's very fair. And like I said,
he has respect for everybody, no matter what
background or fishery or village or race they come
from. And I just want to stress it is not the time to
bring in somebody new, going against the expertise
that Dr. White has and the knowledge and [what] he has
seen happen the last five-plus years. So I think Dr.
White, as AVCP does, urges you to reappoint him to the
Board of [Fisheries] and keep him involved. He's been
working for everybody. Thank you.
Number 2603
DALE BONDURANT testified via teleconference that he supports Mr.
Nelson's appointment because he has done a good job and works
well with the Board of Fisheries. He stated that he has known
Dr. White since he served as a chairman on the Board [of
Fisheries]. He said, "He is able to handle volatile
situations." He indicated that an area in Soldotna has had
harassment and threatening situations, which Dr. White handled
with much "rapport and respectability." He stated that he has a
very broad knowledge of the state fisheries. He went on to say:
Present membership is a very sharp scientific mind. I
want to say something about commercial fisheries that
oppose him. I've been involved in the fisheries
hearings for probably 40 years, and I've noticed, as
the board gets more mature, they start thinking more
about the resource, and then the commercial fishermen
want to get their financial (indisc.) and try to get
rid of those people that now support such things as
[the] sustained fishery policy. So, we do need people
that [have] been there awhile. And we need people
that will stand up for the resource.
I've seen some of the old-timers like Nick Zabone (ph)
[and] Gordon Jenson (ph), and ... as soon as they
found out why the commercial fishermen were wanting
this and that, boy, they got rid of them too. So I
say more power to people that have served on this
board a long time and now are turned around. They
want to protect the resource. And I also support the
committee process. I think it's the way to get the
people into ... working together. So, I appreciate
Dr. White's responsibility with the board and fully
support [him]. Thank you.
Number 2774
DAVID MARTIN, Chairman, Central Peninsula Advisory
Committee, testified via teleconference that the committee
is located in the Ninilchik area of Cook Inlet on the Kenai
Peninsula. He read the following testimony:
[At] our April 4, 2001 public meeting, our advisory
committee unanimously opposed the confirmation of Dr.
John White and Russell Nelson for another term on the
Board of [Fisheries]. Our justification and reasons
are as follows:
Dr. White has already served two terms. The Board of
[Fisheries] does not listen to the public advisory
committees, ADF&G, ... or the biological data
presented to them. The Board of [Fisheries] has met
for seven straight years since 1994, sometimes two or
three times a year on Cook Inlet issues. Dr. White
was chairman for some of these years. These meetings
were scheduled contrary to agenda-change criteria by
either the Board of [Fisheries] themselves or the
Board of [Fisheries'] approval of an agenda-change
request for allocation purposes. These resulted in
... unnecessary and undue burdens in time and money on
advisory committees, users of the resource, the
public, ADF&G, ... and the board-support section of
the Board [of Fisheries] themselves.
The three-year cycle was implemented to decrease the
burden of time and cost on the public. The Board of
[Fisheries] was created to stabilize the fisheries.
Mr. White and Mr. Nelson have been instrumental in
restructuring Cook Inlet salmon management plans.
These management plans place regulatory closures on
the fisheries. These plans strip the professional
management biologists of their flexibility in the
(indisc.) authority to manage the fisheries
biologically. This is exactly what Alaska had before
statehood when the federal government managed our
fisheries. These management plans that result in lost
harvest of surplus salmon gross over escapement; that
has led to diminished returns. In 2000 alone, 20
million pinks went unharvested because these same
plans eliminated any commercial harvest. The wasted
harvest occurred even with the event of the Cook Inlet
fisheries being declared a disaster by the federal
government.
Many people in our area are financially and mentally
depressed. Their livelihood and everything they
worked for is being regulated away. Many, because of
age and other reasons, have no other alternative.
They are also losing their fishing industry
infrastructure and many jobs. But the majority of the
major canneries have left the inlet, stating ... the
reasons for leaving as being an unstable business
environment created by the Board of [Fisheries].
[Dr.] White and Mr. Nelson have approved several out-
of-cycle agenda-change requests for Cook Inlet and one
for Prince William Sound for conservation concerns,
even though the department and the data showed that
there were no conservation concerns. That resulted in
... Cook Inlet of (indisc.) restrictions through the
commercial fisheries, the sport end of the charter
industry on the silvers, and the result was the 2000
season came in at ... near-record runs of silvers that
went unharvested.
[With] respect to the time that Dr. White and Mr.
Nelson have put on the Board of [Fisheries], they have
had their opportunity to regulate Alaska's fisheries.
However, it is time to move on and confirm new Board
of [Fisheries] members. We need to confirm people who
are good stewards of the fisheries resource by
implementing regulations that manage Alaska's
fisheries biologically, that listen to the biologists,
and adhere to scientific data. We need to confirm and
listen to the advisory committees and the public to
bring stability and [reliability] to the fisheries.
Alaska's renewable salmon resources are too viable and
depended upon by too many people for their livelihood
to be managed in any other way. Thank you for your
consideration and time.
Number 2910
STEVE VANEK testified via teleconference:
I've been a commercial fisherman for 34 years. I
oppose Dr. White's confirmation. No one should have
three terms. No one is so indispensable that the two-
term policy should be set aside. He has cost the
State of Alaska hundreds of thousands of dollars and
myself hundreds of dollars by taking up Cook Inlet
every year out of cycle. I'm going to give you an
example of the costs of the [Alaska] Department of
Fish & Game from just one of these out-of-cycle
meetings.
Here is a list of department personnel that had to
work on the useless coho management plan during the
winter of 1999-2000: Mike Bethey (ph), Jeff Fox, Dave
Ruse (ph), Paul Sear (ph), Nicky Sarza (ph), Linda
Branningan (ph), Craig Whitmore , Steven Free (ph),
Robert Clark (ph), Robert Latford (ph), Jean Sandin
(ph), and James Hasbrook (ph). These are all people
listed on the report that they had to make to the
Board of [Fisheries] for that coho management plan
last spring. And if you don't think that cost a lot
of time and money for the department personnel, you
could add up their time that they spent and see. The
"coho man," he does not need to be honored with a
third term. The Cook Inlet economy has suffered
enough under Dr. White. Anyone can always claim that
they're needed to finish their programs. And that is
a very weak argument. There are other people who are
just as qualified and have the ability to do it. So
you don't need to have a third term. Thank you.
Number 3000
MARK POWELL testified via teleconference that he has owned and
operated a salmon buying company in Cook Inlet for 18 years.
TAPE 01-19, SIDE B
MR. POWELL gave the following testimony:
[Dr. White] along with Mr. Coffey's leadership have
showed an orchestrated plan to restrict the commercial
fishery in Cook Inlet to the point that it's almost
impossible for the fishery to continue. Ever-
increasing escapement levels in poor in-river
management have caused drastic reductions in the
sockeye return in Cook Inlet and therefore drastic
reductions in the harvest ability of the commercial
fishery in this area. The sitting Board of Fisheries,
in my view, is directly responsible for implementing
poor management decisions on the local biologists that
have caused a drastic reduction in the commercial
harvest.
The processing industry has lost considerable capacity
to date due to the closure of several plants in this
area. The Board of [Fisheries] needs to have equal
representation in order to decide issues fairly. In
my view, Dr. White needs to be replaced. And I would
agree with the statement that two terms is enough on
the Board of [Fisheries]. ... That's all I have to
say, and I appreciate the opportunity to be here.
Number 2946
MARK GLASSMAKER, Secretary and Treasurer, Kenai River
Professional Guide Association, testified via teleconference:
I'd like to pledge my support for the reconfirmation
of Dr. White to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Due to
his conservative experience and balanced viewpoint
stemming from his past Board of [Fisheries]
experience, he has shown an innate ability to
represent both sports fish and commercial interests,
and his reappointment will benefit Southcentral
[Alaska] and statewide fisheries. On behalf of the
Kenai River Professional Guide Association, I would
like to pledge support for Dr. John White and his
continued public service to Alaska's Board of
[Fisheries]. Thank you very much.
Number 2884
RANDY BERG testified via teleconference:
I'm here to support the reconfirmation of both Mr.
Nelson and Dr. White to the Board of Fisheries. The
main reason I'm supporting the two is because of their
stance on fisheries resource itself. ... Although
they helped to cut my sports fishing season and bag
limit drastically here on the Kenai River last year, I
feel the concern (indisc.) and salmon resource in the
state of Alaska.
And during their hard work on the Board of Fisheries
and protecting the silver salmon run escapements in
the Cook Inlet, the state of Alaska avoided disaster
in silver salmon spawning escapement last year. And I
just think with their hard work and their conservation
efforts for the salmon stocks that we have in the
state that in the future we can see better runs coming
along, instead of the disaster we've been seeing in
the last few years. Thank you very much.
Number 2863
ROD BERG testified via teleconference that he lives in Soldotna.
He remarked that the reconfirmation of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White
is the "right things to do." He said:
When it comes to burden of conservation, they're
willing to spread that out amongst the user groups,
instead of one group always taking it in the shorts.
So I am here, and I am in favor of the reconfirmation
of Russell Nelson and Dr. John White.
Number 2831
STEPHEN RIDDLE testified via teleconference that he has been
around this fishery for 17-18 years. He noted that he has seen
different things on the [Kenai] Peninsula, but that growth is a
constant for the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska. He said there is a
constant growth of people who want to make a living off of these
fish. He remarked that he supports Dr. White and Mr. Nelson
because of their concern for the "conservation of that resource."
He mentioned that he and his children and ten grandchildren are
all concerned about the conservation of these fish for the
future.
MR. RIDDLE stated that it's about time that "we" realize both
sports fishermen and commercial fishermen can't all "make a
living off these fish." It's not going to happen, he said,
because there are too many of "us". The sports fishing and
commercial fishing industries are overcapitalized. He said:
There's too much money, too many boats, too many
processors, [and] too many guides, and let's face it,
folks, we're not gonna restrict the number of people
that come in the state, because it's not Russia. So
[we've] got to restrict something, and all of us have
to bear the brunt and take a little bit of a hit and
give the fish a break.
MR. RIDDLE remarked that he thought Mr. Nelson and Dr. White
were the most concerned Board of Fisheries members in regard to
the longevity of these fisheries. He urged the committee to
reconfirm Mr. Nelson and Dr. White.
Number 2723
JOE HARDY testified via teleconference that he supports the
reappointment of Dr. White. He said Dr. White has been a "force
for balance management and conservation." He went on to say
that Dr. White's views have helped him achieve a "balance of
(indisc.) or allocation between sport, commercial and
conservation demands." He pointed out that the "sports-
commercial mix" includes subsistence and personal use fisheries.
He went on to say:
While this approach definitely has not pleased all
users, he has been effective. The Board [of
Fisheries] needs his level of experience and
commitment to continue managing the resources in a
fair and equitable manner. I don't feel that Dr.
White should be targeted for the (indisc.) or lack of
salmon run in Cook Inlet. Nature will decide that,
with proper management.
MR. HARDY stated that Dr. White has been an effective proponent
of protecting these runs in Cook Inlet and statewide.
Number 2677
GARY KERNAN testified via teleconference that he has done
commercial and sports fishing his whole life. He expressed his
support for the reconfirmations of Dr. White and Mr. Nelson. He
remarked that it seems like "such a turmoil ... trying to
figure out what the major problem is." He stated that he
believes Dr. White and Mr. Nelson support all fisheries, not
just sockeye salmon fisheries. He indicated that he has fished
commercially when the prices were different for the same amount
of fish that he had at another time, which is "like when you
have a bad season that has to go towards the Board of
Fisheries." He said, "We have lots of bad seasons on the river,
so I'm just trying to see the outlook for all the fisheries, not
just for the sockeyes."
Number 2627
DREW SPARLIN testified via teleconference that he has resided in
Kenai for 40 years and has been a commercial drift fisherman in
Cook Inlet for 37 years. He stated that he has been very active
in fish politics by participating in all the Board of Fisheries
meetings that have dealt with Cook Inlet, for the past 25 years.
He declared that he was testifying against the appointment of
Dr. White. He referred to written testimony that he had sent to
the House Special Committee on Fisheries and House Resources
Standing Committee and said that [Dr. White] "brought to life
the surplus and excessive waste of pinks this year."
MR. SPARLIN brought attention to the Avalanche meeting, which
was the meeting on the coho management plan. He noted that this
meeting was the result of a letter submitted by the governor and
that the Board [of Fisheries] workshop in Fairbanks had said
that if this letter was submitted by anyone else, it would not
have been considered. He explained that the coho management
plan was "supposedly" adopted due to conservation concerns.
However, ADF&G made the statement that there were no
conservation concerns, while the Board [of Fisheries] determined
that there were. This resulted in the fisheries being
reallocated with no "sunset clause" on the action taken or
methods to count the cohos that went into the river systems. He
said:
[The Board of Fisheries] reduced the bag limit with
potential increase in the bag limit and the river.
This was a direct reallocation, and it left no
opportunity whatsoever for the management people to
institute a commercial harvest whenever the species
and the strength and abundance of stock would require
it and be safe to do. ... I surely hope that you
will not reappoint Dr. White, and I would hope that we
would find another good citizen of the state of Alaska
to take his turn of making these decisions. Thank you
very much.
Number 2516
JOE MALATESTA testified via teleconference:
I want to oppose Dr. White so much that I would like
to spend an hour telling you of all the things I've
watched him do. I've heard a lot of people testify
about their 17 and 18 years. I've been in and out of
this state since the '50s. My wife was raised here.
[I] fished down here, and I attend all the Board [of
Fisheries] hearings. The last Board [of Fisheries]
hearing we had in Soldotna, I brought two elderly
women ... [who were] six generations deep in
commercial fishing. And Dr. White was arrogant with
Mr. Coffey [Board of Fisheries Chair], and he was
nasty towards people when they were speaking,
especially the young people.
And I'll tell you something: when it comes to the
pink salmon disaster that we had last year, he should
be arrested for the wanton waste that went on down
here in the Kenai river - 20 million pinks, with all
the hungry people that we have in the United States
today. We wasted those pinks when there was no silver
conservation reason, and that was specifically
outlined at that Board [of Fisheries] meeting ....
The other thing is, he is in line with Mr. Coffey.
Mr. Coffey writes to Hal Smalley, when Mr. Smalley was
a Representative [House of Representatives], stating
that no one should make their living in six weeks.
These are people with predisposed minds. When you
have a predisposed mind, then you don't meet the
criteria to sit on a Board of [Fisheries]. The last
thing I want to leave with you is that people need to
be compassionate when they sit on boards. I sit on a
lot of boards. I sit on the coalition that's down
here to try to come up with a management of the
resources.
The thing that's important is that people down here
are hurting financially. We have people that couldn't
pay their mortgages, they can't buy fuel oil in the
winter, they're living on credit cards for regulations
that are ridiculous. We're not here tonight and I'm
not here to say you need to kill the sports fishing
industry or the guides. I want jobs. But what you
need are people that sit on these boards that care
about the people in the community, just like you're
supposed to be "stage men" down there.
It's time for Dr. White to go packing. As far as
Russell [Nelson], I think if he had good leadership
and ... someone a little better helping him along, he
would probably be fine on the Board of [Fisheries].
Please keep in mind that this community is financially
hurting. I sit on lots of boards and commissions down
here. I travel to Washington with the borough
assembly. I'm trying to bring this message to
everybody, and I document everything that I'm saying.
What's important is that we need to save the people
from going bankrupt. We need to save all the
industries down here. Dr. White has helped close the
industry, the commercial fishing industry in Cook
Inlet. We're down to ... three processors this year.
That's ridiculous. We're running people out of the
state, and ... these people that have only lived here
16, 17, 18 years, they'd better start taking the heat
for some of us that have lived here and have families
that have lived here for a long time. Thank you for
your time, and I clearly want to oppose Dr. White's
reappointment.
Number 2351
STAN BLOOM testified via teleconference that he lives in
Fairbanks, where he serves as the following: vice-president
(indisc.) Dip Netters Association; member, Fairbanks Advisory
Committee; member, AOC [Alaska Outdoor Council]; life member,
NOA; and charter member, Northern (indisc.) Club International.
MR. BLOOM urged the committee to reconfirm Dr. White and Mr.
Nelson to the Board of Fisheries. He said both are experienced,
fair-minded professionals who make decisions based on facts and
science. He remarked that both voted for a "positive customary
and traditional finding" on the dipnetting in Chitna at the '99
Board [of Fisheries] meeting, which could explain commercial
fishermen's opposition to them. From experience, if "you oppose
the United Fishermen of Alaska, they will trash your
reputation," he said. He went on to say:
While I was at a Board of Fisheries meeting in
Anchorage, they even had a detective follow me around
to see if I would cheat on my wife, so they could
bring that to the ... Board [of Fisheries]. What that
had to do with fishing, I don't know. For many years,
the commercial fishermen had controlled the ... Board
[Fisheries]. They could give us two other Alaskans,
two votes, and still win. It is (indisc.) in the
recent past, and Dr. White and Mr. Nelson have voted
fairly on the science and on the public testimony. I
urge you to reconfirm both and not listen to what this
letter-writing campaign that the United Fishermen of
Alaska have got against these two. Thank you very
much.
Number 2257
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR, testified via teleconference that he has
served on the Board [of Fisheries] for the last seven years.
During this time, Dr. White and Mr. Nelson have served on the
Board of Fisheries. He remarked that "we" have accomplished "a
lot of good things." He went on to say:"
I feel they're [Dr. White and Mr. Nelson] both very
good board members. I know that they work extremely
hard. They listen to all the public. They try to get
all the public input they can, listen to all the
science, not only from the department, but also from
some of the independent scientists that give reports
to the board. I feel they're both extremely good,
selfless, hardworking board members. And I urge you
to reconfirm them. Thank you.
Number 2194
PAUL SHADURA II read the following testimony:
I reside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. I've
traveled a thousand miles today to testify on the
reconfirmation of Board of [Fisheries] member John
White. There's some key points that I believe that
you should consider.
[First,] how is the record of this board member proved
to the committee that he has made fair and unbiased
decisions that benefit all the users of the state?
Section 6(e) of the Alaska Statehood Act states, the
policy making officials should be selected for their
ability and their dedicated interest to the resource,
and no identification should be made between a policy-
making official and any particular segment of a
population. Likewise, no official should be bound to
represent the interest of a specific geographical
region.
In addition, an excerpt from the Board of [Fisheries]
review committee dated February 23, 1988, [says] in
1975 the legislature enacted a new statute which split
the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game, the
members of which must be appointed by the governor and
confirmed by the legislature without regard to
political affiliation [or] geographical location.
Chapter 206 SCA 1975.
However, despite the explicit aforementioned statutory
prohibitions, [for] more than a quarter of a century,
Alaska governors aided and abetted by the legislature
have appointed individuals to the Board [of Fisheries]
because of their identification and special interests
or geographical areas. Reappointing board members for
two or three terms does not adhere to any diversity of
interests, and, in fact would solidify or ingrain the
inherent bias or idealism of one member from one area
and from one perspective or resource user. If we are
attempting to reduce the temptation of an
administration or body from exerting political
philosophy on board members that are not to be
considered by a political affiliation, then it would
seem proper that new blood and new ideas would help to
ensure there would be less collusion and a stronger
attempt for Board of [Fisheries] members to balance
the decisions they promulgate.
Number 2072
Have decisions made by this board member resulted in
sweeping losses to resource users? In the Kuskokwim
region, this area will now be closed for real
conservation reasons. This is Mr. White's backyard,
yet in six years, which included his time as chairman,
he could not craft a moderate solution, and now his
inabilities have severely impacted the economic
viability for the fishing families of that region. In
Cook Inlet in August 2001, Mr. White failed to approve
an emergency petition that resulted in a surplus stock
of pink salmon in excess of 20 million. Information
from local ADF&G personnel gave the Board [of
Fisheries] their best available information on the
need for the surplus fishery. And assessments that
the conservation species that the board had been
concerned about were returning in record numbers. In
final analysis, [it was] the best return ... to the
Kenai River in 20 years.
Mr. White was instrumental in deterring the
responsibilities of the decline of chum salmon away
from his turf and placing the blame on a distant area
[M]. These sweeping changes to this area's
regulations [would] not as board member [Mr.] Coffey
alluded to in a recent legislative committee report,
[what would] make the Kuskokwim whole again.
Does this board member [Dr. White] listen to the
concerns of others? Does he have the necessary
participation experience in affected areas? Board
member [Dr.] White has stated publicly that he does
not feel that the public testimony is necessary, fall
workshop 1999. He voted against having a recorded
copy of all committee meetings, fall workshop 1999.
He reserves his ex parte communications with only
selected members of the public and stakeholders. Many
times, I or others in the commercial fishing community
have gone to Mr. White and have been rudely cast off
with no answers except a sarcastic remark.
Number 1971
Mr. White is a dentist from Bethel. Yet his recent
press release states that he is a commercial
fisherman. I believe that he has a freshwater
longline permit that is not an open fishery, and a
limited fishery gillnet on the Kuskokwim.
In contrast, you may review someone like myself, who
is a third-generation commercial fisherman in Cook
Inlet, family histories that dates back over a hundred
years. I'm an Alaskan native descendent, Russian-
English heritage, because they were the first
explorers in the state. I commercially fish salmon,
herring, and halibut. My family have owned traps. We
have been involved in processing, fish buying, [and]
tendering. I've subsisted on salted salmon and sport
fished on the Kenai before it was fashionable.
I'm an active board member to the Cook Inlet
Aquaculture Association for 20 years, board member to
the SERTAC (ph), which is the oil watchdog in Cook
Inlet, and the Kenai River Special Management Area
Board. ... I have been involved with KPFA [Kenai
Peninsula Fishermen's Association] for 30 years and
[am] a UFA [University of Alaska-Fairbanks] board
member. I live, eat, and breathe fishing, and I am an
Alaskan commercial fisherman. Please do not confirm
John White. He will not improve the fisheries. He
will not use his intellect to bring the conflicts of
individual users to a mutual agreement. Mr. White's
greatest shortcoming is that his arrogance precedes
his intelligence.
Number 1856
ROBERT HAYANO testified via teleconference that he was in favor
of Dr. White's reconfirmation. He said he has done an excellent
job. His voting record shows that he puts resources first
before user groups. He remarked that Dr. White should be
commended for having the "ability and patience to allow us, the
stakeholders, the maximum amount of time to work out our
differences and come to a solution before he takes it at his
level and votes for a solution."
Mr. HAYANO noted that the committee process that [Dr. White]
helped institute to the Board [of Fisheries] is extremely
beneficial to the public. It enables board members to gain more
knowledge in their limited amount of time and also provides
people like himself with the opportunity to testify. He
remarked that this would result in a "better solution to a lot
of these user conflicts." He indicated that Dr. Whites'
"ability to understand the scientific knowledge and ...
willingness to go outside of the department and listen to other
experts " is also a reason why he should be reconfirmed.
Number 1762
REPRESENTATIVE DYSON encouraged Chair Stevens to require
testifiers to "maintain some sense of decorum and not be
personally insulting, [or] assail the person."
Number 1722
MR. OLSON stated that he supports the reconfirmation of Dr.
White. He said he has been "very good" to work with and
considers all testimony heard at Board of Fisheries meetings.
He referred to earlier remarks concerning "our" depleted fishery
and the state of it, and said that this is true, but it's not
the fault of the Board of Fisheries' members. He indicated that
the members are there to make policy, and that anything that
happens "out in the ocean here in Bristol Bay [where] our runs
have been cycling" is not because of them.
Number 1652
ROBIN SAMUELSON testified via teleconference, saying that he has
been a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay for 30 years, and has
served three years on the Board of (Fisheries) and the North
Pacific Fisheries [Management Council]. He noted that he
himself has worked with Dr. White, who has voted for some of
things that he has voted for and some he hasn't. However, Dr.
White has always treated him and people that were in the
audience with respect, he said. He stated that Dr. White serves
as an advisor on the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission,
an important commission that deals with Canada, Japan, Russia,
and the U.S. He indicated that Dr. White's expertise from the
Board of Fisheries has provided him with an "excellent insight"
into the commission.
MR. SAMUELSON remarked that the Board of Fisheries' committee
process is an innovative method that has helped. He said ADF&G
has put "their spin on things" quite often, but Dr. White has
the intelligence and background now to keep ADF&G "in line."
MR. SAMUELSON pointed out that Dr. White was recently nominated
to the North Pacific Research Board, which ties in very well
with his Board of Fisheries experience, now that he's "shedding"
the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. He remarked that
"those research dollars are hard to come by for the state, [in
regard to] the diversity, [and] the geographic monstrosity as
the state." It will be very beneficial to have someone like
Dr. White on there as an advisor.
MR. SAMUELSON indicated that Dr. White, a dentist and commercial
fisherman from the Yukon, has made sacrifices by serving on the
Board of Fisheries. Serving on the Board of Fisheries has meant
being away from his wife and children and giving up his
professional practice, he said. As a resident and fisherman of
the state, he thanked Dr. White for his service. He urged the
committee, "in the strongest sense possible," to reappoint him,
since stability is needed in the commercial fishing industry.
[There was poor sound quality due to technical difficulties for
the remainder of the meeting.]
Number 1420
ROGER WILLIAMS, President, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's
Association (KPFA) stated that he lives in Kasilof, Alaska. He
mentioned that he is also serves as secretary on the Kenai
Soldotna Advisory Committee. He indicated that the following
comments are the views of KPFA's board members, who are elected
by "our" people. He declared that "we" oppose the
reconfirmation of Dr. White. [Tape was indisc. for the next few
minutes.]
MR. WILLIAMS mentioned that the governor has not appointed a
commercial fisherman to the Board of Fisheries in seven years.
[Tape was indisc. for the next few minutes.]
MR. WILLIAMS remarked that Dr. White has had a difficult time
dealing with the public, especially with commercial fishermen
from Cook Inlet. He said, "we" have had a hard time trying to
communicate with him, and this needs to be a prerequisite for
his job, because "we're the people that live and fish there."
He indicated Dr. White doesn't pay attention to the biological
attention furnished by the biologists, "who do that 12 months a
year, [and] live in the area." Mr. Williams also noted that he
has heard a lot about sustained fisheries in Cook Inlet.
MR. WILLIAMS commented that the problem seems to be that [Board
of Fisheries] is trying to get rid of the commercial fisheries
and in turn make sports fishing stronger. However, he said
"they" are not going to be able to take up slack that "we" leave
behind. He went on to say, "We're generating anywhere from 30
on a bad year to 160 million into [the] economy in six weeks."
He mentioned that when he was a Board [of Fisheries] member,
they tried mediation to work out these issues. However, the
mediator who was hired "leaked a bunch of information to the
press," so that person was fired. He also pointed out that they
tried to do mediation at the "grassroots level on the advisory
committees."
Number 1254
CARL ROSIER, President, Alaska Outdoor Council (AOC), read the
following testimony:
As many of you know, the Alaska Outdoor Council is an
association of 45 outdoor recreation groups supporting
conservation and wise use of Alaska's fish and
wildlife resources, protection of public access, fair
allocation of resources, and equal protection of the
constitutional rights of all Alaskans to use our
natural resources.
The Alaska Outdoor Council is a strong supporter of
the Alaska Board regulatory system. During the nearly
30 years of my career with the Alaska Department of
Fish & Game, I have had the opportunity to observe and
participate in a significant number of Board of
Fisheries regulatory sessions with a variety of board
members. Alaska's system is the most publicly open
process in the nation, and when one views the
generally good condition of our fish resources, it is
a system that has served the state well. A
significant part of the board's effectiveness has been
the quality and continuity of many dedicated
individuals that have served on what we consider to be
the toughest regulatory appointment in the state.
Your committee has before it two very dedicated and
capable individuals that are truly deserving of being
confirmed for another term on the Board of Fisheries.
The current Board of Fisheries operates as a consensus
building entity that has established efficient
processes to bring opposing views to the table for
resolution among the stakeholders and further
enlightenment of the board. If the stakeholders
cannot reach consensus, the board has the last and
best information on which to make the final decisions
on a given issue. Much of this system has been
arrived at through the leadership of Dr. John White.
The present board leaves no question about good
science and conservation of the resource being
priority considerations in the regulatory decision
process. In this arena, the Board of Fisheries has
completed the initial development of a sustainable
fisheries policy for the state and is now making
application to the various fisheries statewide.
Development of the policy has occurred in conjunction
with stakeholder groups and the technical support of
ADF&G. This policy is now providing guidance to the
public, the department, and future boards on decision-
making to assure continued sustained yield of our
fisheries resources. In our view, [it is] a good
piece of work under the leadership of Dr. White and
one that will go far in assuring the long-term health
of our fishery's resources.
Balance in regard to decisions affecting a variety of
user groups by the current board is probably the best
I have observed in a fish board. No one interest
group dominates the board as we have frequently
observed in the past. It is AOC's view that the
present board gives true consideration of the public's
demands, whether you are commercial, subsistence,
personal use, or sport user. As a participant, you
may not like a decision, but you have every
opportunity to make your case and know that the board
is listening and fairly evaluating your view.
All members of the current board come to the meetings
well prepared, and it is obvious by the debates within
the board that the reams of material produced for the
board's edification [are] indeed being used to support
the board's decisions.
The two members before you for confirmation have grown
in their knowledge and understanding of the multitude
of complex fisheries in our state. Both of these
individuals have become an integral part of a well-
functioning regulatory board that is important to all
Alaskans. The system is functioning well, and the
Alaska Outdoor Council urges you to support
confirmation of Dr. John White and Mr. Russell Nelson
for another term on the Board of Fisheries. Thank
you.
Number 0849
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI asked Dr. White to explain what freshwater
longlining is.
DR. WHITE replied that he has a salmon driftnet permit for the
Kuskokwim River and Kuskokwim Bay. He said he also has an
interim-use freshwater longline permit, which allows him to
longline burbot in the river in years that he sends an
application to the commissioner's office.
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI wondered what burbot was.
DR. WHITE said freshwater cod.
Number 0744
CO-CHAIR STEVENS said yes.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL made a motion to move the confirmations
of Mr. Nelson and Dr. White forward for consideration by the
full House and Senate, with individual recommendations. There
being no objection, the confirmations of Mr. Nelson and Dr.
White were advanced.
CO-CHAIR STEVENS called an at-ease at 6:40 p.m. in order to hear
the Briefing on the Yukon Salmon Agreement. [Minutes for this
presentation can be found in the 6:45 p.m. cover sheet for the
same date.]
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