Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
04/08/2014 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| 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
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 8, 2014
10:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Lynn Gattis
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Fisheries
Susan Jeffrey - Kodiak
John Jensen - Petersburg
Reed Morisky - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous information to record
WITNESS REGISTER
SUSAN JEFFREY, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries (BOF).
JOHN MCCOMBS
Ninilchik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Susan Jeffrey as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Susan Jeffrey as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
RICHARD MCGAHAN, Fisherman
Nikiski, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Susan Jeffrey as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
DAVID MARTIN
Clam Gulch, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the confirmation hearing
for Susan Jeffrey as appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL SHADURA, Board Member
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association (KPFA)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Susan Jeffrey as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
CHRIS GARCIA
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Susan Jeffrey,
as appointee to the Board of Fisheries (BOF).
HOWARD DELO, Member
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission (MSBFW)
Big Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Susan Jeffrey, John
Jensen, and Reed Morisky as appointees to the Board of
Fisheries.
KARL JOHNSTONE, Chair
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Susan Jeffrey, Reed
Morisky, and John Jensen as appointees to the Board of
Fisheries.
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
REED MORISKY, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Reed Morisky and
John Jensen as appointees to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL SHADURA, Board Member
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association (KPFA)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of John Jensen as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL SHADURA, Spokesperson
South K Beach Independent Fishermen's Association (SOKI)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the confirmation hearing
for Reed Morisky as appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
DAVID MARTIN
Clam Gulch, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Reed Morisky as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
CHRIS GARCIA
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Reed Morisky as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
MARK DUCKER
Kasilof, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Reed Morisky as
appointee to the Board of Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:06:33 AM
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. Representatives
Gattis, Herron, Feige, and Seaton were present at the call to
order. Representatives Johnson and Kreiss-Tomkins arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
10:06:47 AM
^Confirmation Hearing(s):Board of Fisheries
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Fisheries (BOF)
CHAIR SEATON announced that the only order of business would be
confirmation hearings of Susan Jeffrey, John Jensen, and Reed
Morisky to the Board of Fisheries.
10:07:29 AM
SUSAN JEFFREY, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF),
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), stated she has lived
in Kodiak since 1972 and has been involved in various commercial
fisheries including crab and halibut. She and her husband are
currently setnet fisherman on Kodiak Island. She has also been
a fisheries editor for the Kodiak Daily Mirror for many years
and has written fisheries articles for several publications
throughout that time.
10:08:24 AM
CHAIR SEATON assumed that she is aware of the amount of time
serving on this board can take.
MS. JEFFREY said that she previously served one term on the
board and she is aware of the commitment necessary to understand
the issues and meet the challenges. She would like to put the
experience and knowledge that she has gained to use by serving a
second term, especially since the fisheries are vitally
important to the state and the people in Alaska.
CHAIR SEATON opened public testimony on the confirmation
hearings for the appointees to the Board of Fisheries.
10:10:22 AM
JOHN MCCOMBS stated that he attended all 14 days of the Board of
Fisheries [Upper Cook Inlet Finfish] meetings in Anchorage [on
January 31-February 13, 2014]. The BOF makes the rules on how
regulations are made, but in February [2014] the board did not
follow their own rules. On the last day of meetings, the BOF
voted 7-0 on two board-generated proposals. He offered his
belief that the Vice-Chair, Thomas Kluberton, wants to turn Cook
Inlet into a "Bristol Bay style" fishery. He was able to
convince other board members to vote on his board-generated
proposal that was void of the public process, he stated. The
fact that these board members think Cook Inlet is the same as
Bristol Bay means they lack an understanding of the fisheries.
Therefore, he said, he cannot support any of the nominees.
10:11:59 AM
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association (KRSA), offered the KRSA's support for the
reappointment of Susan Jeffrey to the Board of Fisheries. He
said that Ms. Jeffrey has a good working knowledge of all the
fisheries in Alaska and has shown herself to be inquisitive by
questioning staff, participants, and users in the fisheries to
gain a better knowledge of how they operate in Alaska. He said
she is open to anyone who wants to ask questions, makes herself
available to the public, and can deal with the complex and
complicated issues related to fisheries in Alaska.
10:12:41 AM
RICHARD MCGAHAN, Fisherman, stated he has been fishing in Cook
Inlet since 1955. After listening to the Board of Fisheries
meeting in February, he does not believe he could support any of
the current BOF members.
DAVID MARTIN said he had not planned to speak on Susan Jeffrey's
appointment; however, he expressed the same concerns as the
other two testifiers on the whole Board of Fisheries process.
10:14:17 AM
PAUL SHADURA, Board Member, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's
Association (KPFA), stated that he is a longtime resident of the
Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association
has been a voice for the Cook Inlet setnet commercial fisherman
since 1954, representing approximately 736 limited-entry setnet
permit holders. He related the KPFA's goal to ensure the
sustainability of our fisheries resources and offered support
for Susan Jeffrey, who is a salmon setnet permit holder, one of
approximately 4,500 permit holders that comprise the majority of
salmon gear types in the state. With the diverse nature of
fishery resources in the state, her direct involvement in a
fishery and her commitment to serve on the board for a second
term, using her skills and experience, can only improve the
regulatory board process. She has an extensive background in
communications and can assist the BOF to develop management
directives based on intensive discussions with the department,
stakeholders, and other board members. He said the KPFA finds
this board member to be very approachable and interested in
gathering information to better understand the complex science
necessary for fair and reasonable decision-making. He said he
looks forward to working with [the board] in establishing
policies that are fair and equitable to all fishermen and
reasonably calculated to promote conservation carried out in
such a manner that no particular individual, corporation, or
other entity acquires an excessive share of such privileges. He
concluded by saying the KPFA urges the committee and the
legislature to recommend and confirm Susan Jeffrey for
reappointment to the Board of Fisheries.
10:16:47 AM
CHRIS GARCIA said, "The whole board is messed up." He disagreed
with some of the BOF's decisions that have affected commercial
salmon fishing. He said that commercial guided fishing in the
Kenai River should be closed. He added that current board
members have ignored data and studies and instead have moved
forward with the Kenai River Sportfishing Association's agenda.
10:18:19 AM
HOWARD DELO, Member, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife
Commission (MSBFW), said the MSBFW unanimously voted to support
Susan Jeffrey's reappointment to the Board of Fisheries. He
also offered MSBFW's support for John Jensen and Reed Morisky
for the same reasons; that they are all approachable, well
informed, and well spoken. He said the commission felt that Ms.
Jeffrey made a reasoned conservation-oriented decision during
the recent upper Cook Inlet meeting. She has demonstrated an
ability to listen to people, understand the issues, and she
votes to protect the resource first and then determines how to
best allocate the fish resources among users. He concluded that
she has done a fine job and the commission supports her
reappointment. He pointed out that the Northern District of
Cook Inlet has 8 of 12 fish stocks of statewide concern.
10:22:29 AM
KARL JOHNSTONE, Chair, Alaska Board of Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish & Game, offered support for all three
appointees. He said that with these appointments the BOF
membership demonstrates diversity in user groups, ethnicity, and
gender, plus these members have proven to have the ability to
work well together. He offered his belief that Susan Jeffrey,
who is a commercial fisherman from Kodiak, has performed well in
her first term and has been able to make decisions that are best
for Alaska. He said she is an open-minded, hard-working member.
She provides a gender balance and perspective that would be
lacking with an all-male board. He turned to Reed Morisky's
confirmation, noting that Mr. Morisky is able to provide a fair
argument for a fair allocation. He mixes well with the public,
is well-informed, and bases his decisions on science. In terms
of appointee, John Jensen, he described him as a senior BOF
member who has participated in many of the fisheries the board
regulates. He said Mr. Jensen understands the BOF process and
policies. He emphasized that the BOF benefits from Mr. Jensen's
experience and the state is fortunate that he is willing to
serve. He hoped that Mr. Jensen would be reappointed.
10:26:02 AM
CHAIR SEATON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on the confirmation hearings
for Susan Jeffrey, Reed Morisky, and John Jensen as appointees
to the Board of Fisheries (BOF).
10:26:32 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked for a response on the earlier comment made
with respect to any board-generated proposal that the testifier
said was taken up without soliciting any public input at a
recent BOF meeting.
MS. JEFFREY was unsure of the specific proposal, noting the
Upper Cook Inlet Finfish meeting spanned 14 days.
CHAIR SEATON restated the previous concern, that at the end of
the BOF [Upper Cook Inlet Finfish] meeting there were two board-
generated proposals taken up.
MS. JEFFREY said the BOF Upper Cook Inlet [Finfish] meeting
spanned 14 days. She acknowledged that there was some confusion
at the end of the meeting just prior to adjournment. She
recalled that the BOF had decided not to take up any board-
generated proposal since many of the public attending the
meeting had left; however, the meeting record and recording
could be reviewed.
10:29:22 AM
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department of
Fish & Game, expressed an interest in serving on the board for
another three years. He said he has been a commercial fisherman
for 45 years and is a lifelong Alaskan from Petersburg. He
currently participates in halibut, king, and tanner crab
fisheries in Southeast Alaska. In 2009, he started a small boat
rental business in Petersburg. He said his two sons both
commercially fish. He has served on the BOF for 12 years and
looks forward to a fifth term.
10:30:24 AM
REED MORISKY, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department
of Fish & Game, stated that he has lived in Alaska since 1981,
is a sport fishing guide in Interior Alaska, and holds a U.S.
Coast Guard Captain's license. He related that his brother is a
commercial fisherman in Southeast Alaska who holds a salmon
troll permit. He has previously held permits for subsistence
fishing in Interior Alaska. He has also participated in
personal use fisheries and holds a deep appreciation for
harvesting food for himself and his family.
MR. MORISKY stated his interest in Alaska fisheries began in the
late 1980s when the legislature considered licensing sport
fishing guides. Since then, he's been a member of the Sport
Fish Guide Task Force and has advocated for a responsible sport
fishing industry to achieve sustainable fisheries. He maintains
that Alaska can protect and secure its fisheries while offering
balanced use for commercial, sport, personal use, and
subsistence uses of the commonly held public resource. He said
that his experience in the fisheries issues and in the BOF
process by reviewing, evaluating, and processing an extensive
amount of complex information, has given him the ability to be a
valuable asset.
MR. MORISKY stated that everyone who has been involved in the
board process deserves respect. "Everyone," he said. The
public must be heard and have their issues vetted by the board.
He very much enjoys meeting the stakeholders and hearing about
their concerns and needs. The BOF deliberates on numerous
proposals covering many issues, he said, and one of these issues
is the decline in king salmon numbers in many parts of Alaska.
Some of the most contentious proposals involve king salmon and
how to manage them. The king salmon is Alaska's official state
fish, made so by the legislature in 1962, a few short years
after statehood. The king salmon is the most iconic fish in
Alaska, Alaskans prize it and want to protect it and allow the
fish to recover even if it means making sacrifices. The
solution is to work through the BOF public process to review the
best available science and to work with all the stakeholders to
seek consensus. He said that his goal is to be part of the
effort to protect, enhance, and support the statewide fisheries'
resources. The BOF has done its job if future generations can
look back and say that it has acted in a responsible manner
while providing maximum opportunities and benefits.
10:33:41 AM
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association (KRSA), offered KRSA's support for the reappointment
of Reed Morisky and John Jensen to the Board of Fisheries.
10:34:15 AM
PAUL SHADURA, Board Member, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's
Association (KPFA), stated that the KPFA has been representing
commercial salmon fishing in Cook Inlet since 1954. He related
that membership primarily represents commercial setnet fishery
families, although some members represent the processing
industry, drift fisheries, suppliers, and the general public's
interest. He stated KPFA's support for John Jensen, who has
made an extra effort to listen to stakeholders, understand
complex science, and strive for a balance of opportunities for
traditional harvesters. He said that he has demonstrated his
concern for conservation of fishery stocks so all Alaskans can
appreciate the state's resources. The BOF's decision-making
process isn't simple and can be controversial, he added, and his
extensive experience in the field and prior BOF experience
represents an asset. He noted that the KPFA's board supports
the reappointment of John Jensen to the BOF.
PAUL SHADURA, Spokesperson, South K Beach Independent
Fishermen's Association (SOKI), stated that SOKI is committed to
protecting and preserving the Kasilof River system. He has been
involved in Cook Inlet fisheries for over 45 years and his
family has been part of the fishing community for over 100
years. He has personally participated in the BOF process for 30
years, and the board process is in need of extensive overhaul.
MR. SHADURA continued to read from a letter of April 8, 2014, as
follows:
[AS] 16.05.221 (a) ... The Governor shall appoint each
member on the basis of interest and public affairs,
good judgment, knowledge, and the ability in the field
of action of the board, and with a view to providing
diversity of interest and points of view of the
membership.
Mr. Morisky, in his short time on the board has not
been approachable and in many instances has been
extremely discriminatory against commercial setnet
fishermen in Cook Inlet. Upon questioning his lack of
acknowledgment to the decisions of the area's Fish and
Game Advisory committees on record [Mr.] Morisky
commented that the "canned" letters that represented
his personal interest carried the same weight as the
duly elected representative and the committee
recommendations of the regional committees. [Mr.]
Morisky, in his first Statewide meeting of the Board
(2012) submitted an anti-commercial fishing
organization's document (KRSA) as his own and when
questioned he responded, "You should have your own guy
put yours in."
We question the ethics of an individual that is doing
the business of the people, which manages the "public
trust" that only associates with members of
organizations that are determined to eliminate long
time setnet fishing families from Cook Inlet. We find
this egregious and request this committee and the
legislature to not confirm Reed Morisky.
10:37:53 AM
DAVID MARTIN, Clam Gulch, stated that he has been involved in
the BOF and the Fish and Game Advisory Committee process since
the early 1980s. He recommended that the legislature not
confirm Reed Morisky. He spent three weeks attending the Board
of Fisheries meetings on Lower Cook Inlet Finfish [December 8-
11, 2013] and Upper Cook Inlet Finfish [January 31-February 15,
2014]. He said that it seemed clear to him that Mr. Morisky
bases his decisions on public and political reasons and not on
science or data. He expressed concern that Mr. Morisky's voting
record reflects his position to allocate from commercial
fisheries to the in-river commercial guide industry even though
it is detrimental to the sports industry, the resource, and the
habitat. He recommended replacing this appointee with someone
who will use reliable science and data to make fisheries
management plans for the state's billion dollar plus fishing
industry and the state's largest job producing industry. Mr.
Morisky and other BOF unaccountable actions are reasons why the
BOF process is flawed and harmful to the resource, the industry,
and the people's livelihoods that depend upon the resource.
10:39:28 AM
CHRIS GARCIA, Kenai, urged members not to confirm Mr. Morisky.
He said that Mr. Morisky is influenced by the Kenai River
Sportfishing Association, which he said is really a fishing
guides' association. He said he has been a sport fisherman his
whole life and this organization does not represent him. He
strongly opposed confirming Reed Morisky to the BOF.
MARK DUCKER, Kasilof, reiterated Mr. Garcia's testimony. He
suggested that the industry on the Kenai Peninsula has been
"gutted." He questioned the decisions, relating that the real
issue is the early king salmon run, but the late king salmon run
has met its goals. He expressed concern about the adverse
effects on the commercial setnet fishery. He questioned Reed
Morisky's personal agenda.
10:41:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS moved to advance the confirmation of Susan
Jeffrey, John Jensen, and Reed Morisky, appointees to the Board
of Fisheries to a joint session of the House and Senate for
consideration.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflect individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection. There being no
objection, the confirmations were advanced.
10:42:14 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:42
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Fisheries - Jeffrey #4.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| Fisheries - Jensen #4.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| Fisheries - Morisky #4.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| Board of Fish appointment support letters.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| UFA Legislative Support for Board of Fisheries, John Jensen 4.7.2014.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| UFA Legislative Support for Board of Fisheries, Sue Jeffrey 4.7.2014.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| 20140406 BOF Confirmation HFSH.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
Board of Fisheries |
| McCombs BoF Conf 4-8-14.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
board of fisheries |
| 04.08.14 KPFA BOF Jensen House Fish.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
board of fisheries |
| 04.08.14 KPFA BOF Jeffrey House Fish.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
board of fisheries |
| 04.08.14 SOKI BOF Morisky House Fish.pdf |
HFSH 4/8/2014 10:00:00 AM |
board of fisheries |