Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
04/01/2014 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):fishermen Fund Advisory and Appeals Council | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):board of Fisheries | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 1, 2014
10:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Lynn Gattis
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Kurt Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Larry Bartman - Manokotak
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Fisheries
Frederick Thrane "Fritz" Johnson - Dillingham
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
LARRY BARTMAN, Appointee
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Manokotak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Fishermen's
Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.
CLAY BEZENEK, Member
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Larry Bartman, as
appointee to the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.
JIM HERBERT, Member
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Larry Bartman, as
appointee to the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.
FREDERICK THRANE "FRITZ" JOHNSON, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries (BOF).
PAUL HOLLAND, Member
Chitna Dipnetters Association
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on Frederick
Thane Johnson as appointee to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:04:02 AM
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. Representatives Seaton
Feige, Olson, Herron, and Gattis were present at the call to
order.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):Fishermen Fund Advisory and Appeals
Council
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
10:04:22 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
a confirmation hearing for an appointee to the Fishermen's Fund
Advisory and Appeals Council.
LARRY BARTMAN, Appointee, Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals
Council, stated his interest for serving as a member of the
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council and provided a
brief history as a generational, Alaskan fisherman participating
in the set and drift net fisheries. Additionally, he is
employed at the local secondary school as a part-time teacher
and technology liaison, managing the facilities network and
maintaining the technical equipment. Having filled the advisory
position twice, he said he feels he has the time to accept the
re-appointment and is prepared to carry-on with the duties
required.
10:06:12 AM
CHAIR SEATON inquired about the advisory facet of the council.
MR. BARTMAN responded that when fishermen are injured on the job
and with no way to afford medical bills, the fund provides
relief.
CHAIR SEATON opened public testimony.
10:07:24 AM
CLAY BEZENEK, Member, Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals
Council, stated support for the appointee and offered that
serving on the council with Mr. Bartman has been a "joy." He
cited the appointee's valuable village perspective, which he
brings to the council, stressing that, although other members
have fished in the area, it is Mr. Bartman's home. Further, he
said, despite a busy work schedule, the appointee prioritizes
his attendance at the council meetings, persevering through
logistical challenges and foul weather conditions but still
managing to bring a positive influence. He urged the
reappointment of Mr. Bartman.
10:09:47 AM
JIM HERBERT, Member, Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals
Council, stated support of the appointee and echoed the positive
sentiments of the previous speaker regarding the village
perspective and knowledge that Mr. Bartman brings to the
council. As a Native speaker, the appointee has been invaluable
in assisting applicants approaching the council for support. He
urged the reappointment.
10:11:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS moved to forward the name of Larry Bartman
to the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation.
There being no objection, the confirmation of Larry Bartman was
advanced from the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
10:12:14 AM
CHAIR SEATON reminded members that signing the report regarding
appointment to a board or commission in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointee,
and that the nomination is merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
^Confirmation Hearing(s):Board of Fisheries
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Fisheries (BOF)
10:12:22 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the final order of business would be
a confirmation hearing for an appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
10:12:56 AM
FREDERICK THRANE "FRITZ" JOHNSON, Appointee, Alaska Board of
Fisheries (BOF), stated interest for serving on the Alaska Board
of Fisheries. He said that, since coming to Alaska in 1978, he
has commercially fished for salmon, herring, and halibut.
Working a census position, shortly after his arrival, required
extensive travel and allowed him to visit every community in the
region. With a background in writing, he began publishing a
weekly newspaper, The Bristol Bay Times, and gained further
insights and a comprehensive familiarity of the region. He said
he served on a number of local boards and is currently the
Regional Fisheries Program Coordinator for the Bristol Bay
Regional Economic Development Association. Since becoming an
appointee, in October 2013, he said he has experienced six
different BOF meetings, which have given him an understanding of
the scope of the responsibilities that are expected.
10:15:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked what has surfaced as a surprise, and
what has represented disappointments, in the meetings attended
thus far.
MR. JOHNSON shared that the volume of material is incredible.
Additionally, he observed, how the divergent opinions among the
stakeholders, which often seemed irreconcilable, were addressed
resulting in workable solutions being identified by the board.
The process appears to move faster than expected, he said, and
three years seems to be a minimal length of time to enact
regulations and subsequently gain a full understanding of the
ramifications manifesting in the fisheries - considering the
life cycle of the species.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS commented that she arrived in Dillingham
at about the same time as the appointee. She expressed
appreciation for what he has brought, thus far, and said the
Matanuska-Susitna district supports the appointment.
10:18:20 AM
PAUL HOLLAND, Member, Chitna Dipnetters Association, reported
that 42,000 dipnetters participate in the personal use
fisheries, and he asked for the appointee's view on what
position the dipnetters hold regarding harvest priority.
CHAIR SEATON asked how the personal use fishery is weighted in
comparison to the commercial harvest.
MR. JOHNSON responded that the personal use fishery has been the
state's response to federally defined subsistence use. The
personal use fishery is as important as the subsistence fishery.
He said that it is important to keep in mind that the commercial
fishermen are also Alaskan families. The topic of prioritizing
fishery use is important to the board, and striking a balance is
difficult. He stressed that all Alaskans have a constitutional
right to harvest the resource.
10:21:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS moved to forward the name of Fritz Johnson
to the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation.
There being no objection, the confirmation of Fritz Johnson was
advanced from the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
CHAIR SEATON reminded members that signing the report regarding
appointment to a board or commission in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointee,
and that the nomination is merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
10:21:56 AM
CHAIR SEATON congratulated the appointees and thanked the
meeting participants.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:22
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Fisheries - Johnson #3.pdf |
HFSH 4/1/2014 10:00:00 AM |
|
| Fishermen's Fund - Bartman #3.pdf |
HFSH 4/1/2014 10:00:00 AM |