Legislature(2007 - 2008)BARNES 124
04/02/2008 08:30 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB304 | |
| Round-table Discussion: Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 304 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 2, 2008
8:41 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Kyle Johansen
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Bryce Edgmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Lindsey Holmes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 304
"An Act authorizing an Alaska regional development organization
to use the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission as an
informational resource."
- HEARD AND HELD
ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION: STATUTORY REGULATOR TOOLS TO ADDRESS
OVER-ESCAPEMENT AND FOREGONE HARVEST IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND &
LOWER COOK INLET
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 304
SHORT TITLE: CFEC AS INFORMATION RESOURCE
SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
03/12/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/12/08 (S) CRA
03/18/08 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/18/08 (S) Moved SB 304 Out of Committee
03/18/08 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
03/19/08 (S) CRA RPT 2DP 2NR
03/19/08 (S) DP: OLSON, THOMAS
03/19/08 (S) NR: KOOKESH, WAGONER
03/26/08 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/26/08 (S) VERSION: SB 304
03/27/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/08 (H) FSH, FIN
04/02/08 (H) FSH AT 8:30 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVE GRAY, Staff
to Senator Donald Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 304 on behalf of Senator
Olson, chair of the Senate Community and Regional Affairs
Committee the bill sponsor.
DAVE COBB
Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA)
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
JOHN HILSINGER, Director
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
DAN GRAY, Regional Management Biologist
Bristol Bay Salmon
Togiak Herring and Prince William Sound Salmon & Herring
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
TRACY LINGNAU, Regional Management Biologist
Cook Inlet Salmon and Central Region Shellfish & Groundfish
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
LEE HAMMARSTROM, Area Management Biologist
Lower Cook Inlet Salmon & Herring
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
JERRY MCCUNE, Lobbyist
Cordova District Fishermen United (CDFU)
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
GLENN HOLLOWELL, Area Management Biologist
Copper River and Prince William Sound Salmon
Division of Commercial Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
ANTHONY SYVERTSON, Offshore Commercial Fisherman
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the discussion on Statutory
Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and Foregone Harvest
in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet, asked questions
regarding Southeast region.
DAVID REGGIANI
Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC)
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
DAVID OTNESS, Independent Operator
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the round-table discussion:
Statutory Regulator Tools to Address Over Escapement and
Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound & Lower Cook Inlet.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 8:41:15 AM. Representatives
Seaton, Johnson, LeDoux, and Edgmon were present at the call to
order. Representative Johansen arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
SB 304-CFEC AS INFORMATION RESOURCE
8:41:33 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 304, "An Act authorizing an Alaska regional
development organization to use the Alaska Commercial Fisheries
Entry Commission as an informational resource."
CHAIR SEATON stated his intent to have SB 304 introduced today,
and hold it in committee for testimony, and discussion at a
future hearing.
8:43:10 AM
DAVE GRAY, Staff, to Senator Donald Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, explained how commercial fishing is a substantial
economic engine for each region of the state. This legislation
allows the Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR)
groups to obtain Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)
information free of charge. He reported that the senator has
received many requests to have this service made available to
assist ARDOR programs in attaining the goals established under
AS 44.33.895; to wit:
Sec. 44.33.895. Alaska regional economic assistance
program. [See delayed repeal note]
(a) The department shall
(3) gather information about regional economic
issues, international trade, and tourism from
organizations;
(4) serve as liaison between organizations and
other state agencies and encourage other agencies to
make resources available to help accomplish goals of
the organizations;
(5) assist each organization to
(A) provide services designed to encourage
economic development to local communities and
businesses;
(B) collect and distribute economic information
relevant to the region;
(C) participate in state marketing campaigns and
join state trade missions that are relevant to the
region; and
(D) develop and implement strategies to attract
new industry, expand international trade
opportunities, and encourage tourism within the
region.
8:47:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned:
There are a number of us in this building that have
heard that this bill ... is simply a vehicle bill,
designed to add ... the scallops and the hair crab; a
bill [HB 16] which hasn't progressed. What's your
comment on this.
MR. GRAY responded the title is fairly tight, and remains
specific to the ARDOR group's receipt of CFEC information.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if the sponsor would commit to
opposing the bill, should efforts be made to add additional
topics.
MR. GRAY said it would be presumptive, on his part, to make that
commitment on behalf of Senator Olson. However, the core
substance represents the intent of the bill, which the senator
would like to see move forward. To a follow-up question he
indicated that the senator may be available for questions, at
the next hearing.
8:49:27 AM
CHAIR SEATON requested the current statutory/constitutional
limitation language, that restricts CFEC from providing this
information, be made available to the committee.
[SB 304 was held over.]
^Round-Table Discussion: Statutory Regulator Tools to Address
Over Escapement and Foregone Harvest in Prince William Sound &
Lower Cook Inlet
8:50:19 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the next order of business would be
a round-table discussion on the statutory regulator tools to
address over escapement, and foregone harvest, in Prince William
Sound and Lower Cook Inlet.
CHAIR SEATON reminded the committee that the purpose of the
discussion is not a fault finding mission, but rather a means to
dialogue with the department, industry, processors, and other
concerned entities. He provided the definition of foregone
harvest, for purposes of this hearing, and explained the
consequences when a monitored stream either surpasses or does
not realize maximum or minimum escapement goals. Consequences
of these escapement goal disparities raise concerns for the
biological health of the stream, salmon run survival, and
economic concerns. Decidedly, it is important to recognize that
the means for meeting these goals is not a precise science, and
thus reviewing monitored systems on a continuous basis is an
important part of the process. For the systems where statistics
indicate continued trends for being above goals, solutions need
to be explored, by the assembled group. He recalled highlights
of the previous two meetings [3/19/08, Southeastern region, and
3/26/08, Bristol Bay and Westward regions]: adaptation of
processing schemes, improvement of product transportation, and
reviewing the allowed fishing time. Discussion also ensued
regarding the pink salmon escapement goal analysis, means of
viewing the foregone harvest goal, potentials for direct
marketing vessels, and aggregative transport methods.
8:57:09 AM
DAVE COBB, Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA),
described the VFDA as a small, hatchery, aquaculture
organization in the eastern district of Prince William Sound
(PWS); not a regional association. Despite its size, the VFDA
is one of the largest producers of pink salmon in PWS.
8:59:24 AM
CHAIR SEATON directed attention to the ADF&G Regional
Information Reports No. 5J08-01, titled "Success in Achieving
Salmon Escapement Goals in Monitored Systems," [No. 5J08-02,
titled "Potential Unrealized Harvest and Exvessel Value,"] and
5J08-03, titled "Estimated Numbers of Salmon Above the Upper
Range of the Escapement Goal and Estimated Value of Unharvested
Fish," contained in the committee packet.
9:00:15 AM
JOHN HILSINGER, Director, Division of Commercial Fisheries,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), introduced the
departmental biologists participating in the discussion.
9:01:26 AM
DAN GRAY, Regional Management Biologist, Bristol Bay Salmon,
Togiak Herring and Prince William Sound Salmon & Herring,
Division of Commercial Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish &
Game (ADF&G), paraphrased from a prepared statement, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided], with referrals to a
table in report #5J08-1 page 4:
Copper River Sockeye
Comm. fishery opens on or near May 15 w/ 2
periods per week. Escapement monitored at Miles Lake
Sonar.
Many individual stocks of sockeye and kings.
Typical situation leading to excess escapement is
delayed run associated with cold spring temps and low
water levels.
This results in early season closures - problem
occurs when the run resumes in a strong wave and jumps
ahead of the [escapement] curve.
The dept is attempting to find a sonar site in
the lower river to give early notice of run entry.
Copper River Coho
Two causes of large escapements:
Fish move on high water events when aerial
assessment is difficult.
Loss of markets as processors close for the
season.
PWS pink salmon
Wild stock pink salmon [escapement] goal is
spread among 200 index streams. Few areas of
concentration for seiners.
Through most of the return the majority of seine
effort is focused on hatcheries.
In 2003, the excess [escapement] was a result of
limited processing capacity.
Recent increase in processing capacity allowed a
record harvest of 60 million in 2007 with wild stock
escapement within the range.
9:07:21 AM
TRACY LINGNAU, Regional Management Biologist, Cook Inlet Salmon
and Central Region Shellfish & Groundfish, Division of
Commercial Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G),
provided statistics for the Lower Cook Inlet. The pink salmon
represent the largest part of the harvest, with a 10 year
average of about 1.6 million, followed by sockeye, at 300,000
thousand. Other fish are harvested, but pink and sockeye are
the targeted species. For the last 10 years, sockeye has
averaged $1.6 million in exvessel value to the fisherman, and
pink salmon have averaged $525,000 thousand. The price for
salmon in Lower Cook Inlet has remained stable, with slight
increases. The over escapement goal concerns for Lower Cook
Inlet differ from those of the Central Region. The inlet has
multiple small fisheries, in remote locations, that are weather
dependent for access. Fuel costs effect the availability of
tenders, which play an important role on whether the fishermen
choose to make the trip. Management is very flexible in the
Lower Cook Inlet. The ten year average for seine permits is
about 30, but last year only 19 fisherman participated. The
ADF&G area manager plays an important role in coordination of
the fisheries to optimize the harvest.
9:11:08 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked how the remote stream systems have been
harvested; by direct market vessels or small seiners with tender
support.
MR. LINGNAU deferred to the Area Management Biologist.
9:12:06 AM
LEE HAMMARSTROM, Area Management Biologist, Lower Cook Inlet
Salmon & Herring, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), asked for a clarification of
the term "direct marketer," and if it acquaints to a floating
processor.
CHAIR SEATON explained that regulatory changes now allow a
fishing vessel to process their own boat caught fish. This
marketing approach has seen significant development in the
Southeast region, and has proven particularly productive for
harvesting remote stocks.
MR. HAMMARSTROM replied that he is not aware of any interest for
direct marketing. He described the Lower Cook Inlet seine
fleet, as being comprised of small vessels that require tender
service to transport remote area harvests. Only a few fishing
boats would have the ability to chill, brine, and transport
their own catch.
9:14:03 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked if direct marketing would be a possibility
for remote streams where escapement is not being utilized.
MR. HAMMARSTROM stated that the department would consider
anything that helps utilize stock abundance. He stressed that
in Lower Cook Inlet the systems have relatively low returns.
With species of low value, such as pink salmon, the volume
required for economic gain is not sufficient for members of the
fleet to pursue the stock. However, some of the more productive
remote systems may lend themselves to a direct market approach.
CHAIR SEATON noted that the Lower Cook Inlet foregone harvest
values are low and inconsistent, compared to other areas.
9:16:37 AM
JERRY MCCUNE, Lobbyist, Cordova District Fishermen United
(CDFU), pointed out that, on paper, the over escapement may look
high for the Copper River system. In reality the fish tend to
hold in the river and don't arrive at the sonar counting
station, creating a situation that contributes to the
possibility of over escapement. He described the fishing
strategies used to maximize effort, by the Copper River fleet.
Locating a "lower" site for a second sonar station to track and
better target the run would be helpful. Additionally, many
direct marketers are challenged to meet their orders and need to
rely on the ability to purchase from other boats. Under current
regulation this is not allowed, and he suggested relaxing that
regulation. Further, he pointed out that the Delta stocks need
to be considered, when reviewing the Copper River run, and that
the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) raises
200-400 thousand sockeye that all users on the Copper River
benefit from.
9:19:56 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked if anyone uses the transporter provisions to
aggregate their catch, without purchase, as is allowed in
current regulation.
MR. MCCUNE explained how the 12-24 hour open seasons occur on
the Copper River, and the availability of the tenders. He
opined that he does not believe anyone aggregates their catch.
CHAIR SEATON said the transporter permit is free, and available
from the local state office. He asked if there has been
activity with this permit in the seine or gill net fisheries of
PWS.
9:21:41 AM
GLENN HOLLOWELL, Area Management Biologist, Copper River and
Prince William Sound Salmon, Division of Commercial Fisheries,
stated that there have been no requests to issue a transporter
permit through his office.
CHAIR SEATON suggested that there may be a lack of knowledge and
understanding within the commercial fleet of this regulation and
permit availability. In the absence of a tender, the regulation
allows one vessel to convey their catch to another vessel, which
then transports to the processor. Previously, transference of
catch was considered a point of sale, and was disallowed. He
opined that utilizing this permit could solve some of the remote
fishery issues.
9:23:45 AM
ANTHONY SYVERTSON, Offshore Commercial Fisherman, inquired
whether the Taku River gillnetters could benefit from the
transporter permit.
CHAIR SEATON said it is a free permit, available statewide.
9:25:28 AM
MR. MCCUNE explained that the fishery in the sound is complex,
where the wild returns to index streams and the hatchery stocks
must both be responsibly harvested. During the 2007 harvest,
the processors worked to full capacity, 24 hours a day,
alternating two crews. The ferry system and AML [Alaska Marine
Line] barges were used to transport the 63 million fish
harvested to Whittier and Anchorage. He opined that it was good
year for everyone, and it would be hard to do much better. A
task force, comprised of representatives from each fishing
group, will be sitting down soon to work out a scheme for the
coming harvest.
9:27:24 AM
CHAIR SEATON noted that the records for the Cooper River sockeye
indicate that there is no significant over escapement, and thus
not much foregone harvest on a predictable basis, for that
system.
MR. MCCUNE offered praise for the department's efforts that have
contributed to successful harvests in PWS. He referred to his
previous testimony, for additional sonar equipment and
regulatory loosening, as additional means of supporting this
harvest. In response to a query from Chair Seaton, he said the
loosening of the regulation would allow direct marketers to
purchase small numbers of fish from other boats, to fill orders.
CHAIR SEATON suggested that for the interim, the fishermen could
investigate the possibilities of a transporter permit.
9:31:04 AM
DAVID REGGIANI, Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation
(PWSAC), said that PWS is fortunate to have a tremendous amount
of processing capacity, and that he had nothing to add to Mr.
McCune's suggestions.
9:31:31 AM
DAVID OTNESS, Independent Operator, said he has experienced
inconsistencies with Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) requirements. He suggested that DEC consider practical
level vs. book level requirements, and cited the regulation that
boat processing occur 1.5 miles offshore. With the absence of
birds and blue bottle flies at sea, this requirement appears to
be superfluous. He also pointed out that the Crescent River has
seen over escapement for the last five years, due to the
tender/transport situation.
9:34:48 AM
CHAIR SEATON acknowledged how the subject of direct market
vessels, and how that program can be improved, has been a common
denominator in these discussions, which he expects will be
addressed.
9:35:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON inquired if the biological/genetic study
of the salmon stock will be broached for discussion.
CHAIR SEATON characterized the topic: What genetic analysis, or
in-season stock identification, is occurring, or needs to occur,
to provide ADF&G knowledge of where the fish are going, and thus
tailor openings to accurately manage the stock. Additionally,
Chair Seaton queried if this would benefit fisheries statewide.
MR. HILSINGER said there is some ability of in-season stock
identification. The Port Moller test fishery performs this task
in Bristol Bay, and improved the ability to harvest some stocks
such as a record run returning to Nushagak Bay. He explained
the limited ability to perform this procedure, but stated that
the department is attempting to implement it more frequently.
9:39:48 AM
MR. MCCUNE conjectured that genetic stock identification might
be helpful in PWS.
9:41:22 AM
MR. COBB praised the department's management of the fisheries.
9:41:47 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked if the concern for the dispatch of roe
carcasses has been resolved.
MR. COBB responded that the hatchery has developed a market for
the carcasses with a pet food company. Also, aggressive
management by ADF&G has been helpful in optimizing the useable
catch.
9:44:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON asked if DEC will be participating in a
future discussion to address the direct marketing theme.
CHAIR SEATON responded that DEC would be invited to participate,
at the upcoming discussions.
9:44:33 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 9:44
a.m.
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