Legislature(1997 - 1998)
11/18/1997 05:00 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
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
November 18, 1997
Sitka, Alaska
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Alan Austerman, Chairman
Representative Scott Ogan
Representative Mark Hodgins (present via teleconference)
Representative Gene Kubina
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ivan Ivan, Vice Chairman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 149
"An Act relating to the management of salmon fisheries; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 149
SHORT TITLE: PREFER CONSUMPTIVE USE SALMON FISHERIES
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) KOHRING, Masek, Mulder, Cowdery
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
02/19/97 399 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/19/97 399 (H) FSH, RESOURCES, FINANCE
02/27/97 519 (H) COSPONSOR(S): COWDERY
04/28/97 (H) FSH AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 124
04/28/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
04/30/97 (H) FSH AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 124
04/30/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
05/05/97 (H) FSH AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 124
05/05/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
05/07/97 (H) FSH AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 124
05/07/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
09/12/97 (H) FSH AT 1:00 PM DILLINGHAM LIO
09/12/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
09/30/97 (H) FSH AT 1:00 PM MAT-SU
09/30/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
10/24/97 (H) FSH AT 1:00 PM KODIAK
10/24/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
11/05/97 (H) FSH AT 1:00 PM KENAI
11/05/97 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
11/18/97 (H) FSH AT 1:00 PM SITKA
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE VICTOR KOHRING
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 421
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-2186
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 149.
LINDA BEHNKEN, Executive Director
Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association
403 Lincoln Street
Suite 237
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-3400
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
SHAYNE HUMPHREYS, Engineer
110 New Archangel Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-3282
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on marine education.
GRANT MILLER, Member
Board of Fisheries
P.O. Box 2456
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-5982
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 149.
JAMES SWIFT, Commercial Fisherman
P.O. Box 1725
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-3156
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
RALPH GUTHRIE
380 Kogwonton Road
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-5894
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
BRIAN BIGLER, Member
Northern Southeastern Regional Aquaculture
Association; and Employee, Wards Cove
Packing Company
P.O. Box C 5050
Seattle, Washington 93105
Telephone: (206) 323-3200
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 149.
DEBRA LYONS, Crew Member
Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association Board
P.O. Box 379
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-0629
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149 and in support
of HJR 38.
ERIC JORDEN
103 Gibson Place
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-6743
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
ROBERT ELLIS, Fisheries Biologist
P.O. Box 2966
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-8950
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
PETE ESQUIRO, General Manger
Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association
1308 Sawmill Creek Road
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-6212
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
MIKE SAUNDERS, Commercial Fisherman;
and President, Lynn Canal Gilnetters' Association
P.O. Box 1112
Haines, Alaska 99827
Telephone: Not provided
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
ROBERT SCHELL, Board Chairman
Seafood Producers Cooperative;
and Commercial Fisherman
507 Katlian Road
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-5811
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149 and in support of
HB 176 and in support of HB 73.
ARNIE FUGLVOG, Representative
Petersburg Vessel Owners Association
P.O. Box 71
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
Telephone: (907) 772-3360
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
GERRY MERRIGAN, Commercial Troller;
and Alaskan Representative
Pacific Salmon Commission
P.O.Box 1065
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
Telephone: (907) 772-3360
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149.
BILL FOSTER, former Charter Guide; and Representative
Recreational Fisheries Northern Panel Pacific
Salmon Commission
307 Islander Drive
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Telephone: (907) 747-6157
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified against HB 149 and in support of
HJR 38.
DAN CASTLE, President
Southeast Alaska Seiner's Association
P.O. Box 9172
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Telephone: (907) 225-1777
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 149.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 97-34, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIRMAN ALAN AUSTERMAN called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 1:11 p.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Austerman, Ogan and Kubina.
Chairman Austerman stated that Representative Hodgins was on
teleconference. Representative Ivan was absent.
HB 149 - PREFER CONSUMPTIVE USE SALMON FISHERIES
Number 0025
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN announced the committee would hear HB 149,
"An Act relating to the management of salmon fisheries; and
providing for an effective date." He stated that the objective of
the hearings is to hear the public's testimony on fishing issues,
in addition to HB 149. He stated that the purpose is not to make
any changes in the bill, it is to take testimony. During session
is when the committee will work on any changes or modifications on
HB 149. He asked Representative Kohring to present his sponsor
statement.
Number 0123
REPRESENTATIVE VICTOR KOHRING, Sponsor, stated that he represents
Wasilla and Peters Creek and thanked everybody for coming. He
explained that HB 149 is to primarily direct the Board of Fisheries
to give the first priority, after the escapement goals are met, to
the consumptive user; which are the sport fishermen and personal
and subsistence user. He stated that the bill does not give
instructions on how this priority would be carried out. He stated
that the goal of the legislation is to provide the personal
consumptive user group with a 5 percent allocation of the statewide
resource. He stated that there are problems with diminished runs
of king, coho and red salmon in the Mat-Su Valley.
Number 0505
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that the intent is to get an
equitable share of the resource and to get an adequate sustained
yield of the salmon resource, which will benefit everybody. He
stated that if the bill were to pass, it would be a benefit to
everybody because it will protect the resource.
Number 0547
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that he feels he has substantial
support in Southeast Alaska because of the evidence of the Fairness
in Salmon Harvest (F.I.S.H) Initiative. He stated that the
Initiative was found unconstitutional because the Supreme Court
felt it was the roll of the legislature, not the public, to make
allocative decisions. He stated that there were 28,000 people that
signed the Initiative, indicating support.
Number 0645
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that perhaps HB 149 is not the
solution, it is just an option. He stated that he knows there are
a lot of commercial fishermen who are unhappy with the bill. He
stated that the purpose of the legislation is to get a dialogue
going and to point to the fact that there is a problem in
Southcentral Alaska. He stated that he has been exploring some
potential solutions to either enhance the bill or use in lieu of
the bill. He stated that habitat protection, additional
enforcement on the rivers, additional surveys on where the fish are
coming from and who is intercepting the fish are issues that need
to be considered. He stated that he is considering a setnet buy-
back program.
Number 0903
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that the bill is only applicable to
Cook Inlet. He stated that there is a serious problem on the Mat-
Su. He said, "We are just trying to help the little guy, helping
families put fish in their freezers and fish on their table." He
asked for comments on how HB 149 could be made better. He stated
that he just wants to help everybody by enhancing the resource, get
more fish in the rivers but also provide more for the commercial
industry as well.
Number 0943
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT OGAN asked Representative Kohring to clarify
the constitutional ruling of the Supreme Court. He stated that the
idea of the Initiative was not ruled unconstitutional it was ruled
unconstitutional because the public cannot allocate a resource by
initiative, it is the legislature's prerogative.
Number 1025
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING replied that it is correct.
Number 1037
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN reiterated that he wanted to clarify for the
record that the Initiative was not deemed unconstitutional, it was
allocation by initiative that was ruled unconstitutional.
Number 1053
REPRESENTATIVE GENE KUBINA stated that he realizes the bill is not
up for debate but he wanted to point out a few items that bothered
him. He stated that the 5 percent allocation is deceiving. He
stated that no one is saying that anyone should not be able to have
5 percent of any particular fish, in fact people would be more than
happy to allocate 5 percent of each species, especially pink salmon
to sport fishermen.
Number 1145
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA stated that he wanted to address a previous
comment that there are pike up in the valley. He stated that he
has a study by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) dated
September 1996 that he has submitted the chairman for discussion
with ADF&G in the coming session meetings. The report documents
where the pike in Northern Cook Inlet has totally wiped out coho
salmon in four of the streams. He stated for the record that Grant
Miller from the Board of Fisheries was present. He stated that he
is appreciative to have Mr. Miller at the meeting.
Number 1353
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that Representative Kohring has been very
receptive to try and find a solution to the problem. He stated
that he received a letter from Representative Kohring regarding a
couple of changes to the bill that the committee will take up in
session, such as taking the 5 percent language out of the bill or
further defining it.
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that the committee would hear testimony
from the people here in Sitka first and then they would hear
testimony from sites on teleconference.
Number 1552
LINDA BEHNKEN, Executive Director Alaska Longline Fishermen's
Association, stated that the association is opposed to HB 149. She
stated that Alaska has healthy resources because of the system that
exists for managing the fisheries. She stated that the Board of
Fisheries bases their decisions on science and not on politics.
She stated that there is only one commercial fisherman on the
board. She stated that it would be a big mistake for the
legislature to start deciding on allocation issues because it will
set a precedence for every allocation problem to be presented to
the legislature. She stated that there is a large amount of
proposals that are submitted to the Board of Fisheries and the
legislature does not have the time to sort though all the various
allocation proposals.
Number 1906
MS. BEHNKEN stated that the 5 percent allocation of statewide
salmon stocks does not leave the Board of Fisheries any room to
deal with reliance in particular areas on particular species. She
stated that Southeast Alaska is very dependant on the troll
fisheries which depends on coho and king salmon. She stated most
likely the 5 percent would be taken out of those species which
would result in putting the troll fishery out of business. She
stated that the hatchery in Sitka benefits all the users. She
stated that the hatchery would have to wait until the 5 percent was
met until they could conduct their cost recovery fishery. This
would put the hatchery out of business, hurting the town and the
fishermen.
Number 2025
MS. BEHNKEN stated that the issue of the guided sport management
plan for halibut that the North Pacific Counsel recently passed is
not on the legislature's agenda but the counsel did receive a
letter from a legislator indicating a misunderstanding of counsel
action. She stated that because of this, she would like to explain
how the plan would work. She stated that there are three
components to the plan, the first is to expand the record keeping
and reporting requirements designed by ADF&G to gain the
performance report from the guided sport industry. It will contain
information such as location, catch figures, number of clients,
resident information and identity of the vessel and operator. She
stated that there is adequate information on the catch that is
taken but not on who is active in the fishery. This prevented the
counsel from taking action on a moratorium because they couldn't
differentiate between the participants. She continued that the
second component of the plan is to establish a guideline harvest
level. This was set at 125 percent of the 1995 halibut harvest
relative to the total quota by the guided sport fishery. That year
had the highest catch rate, proportionately by the guided sport
fishery. She stated that there is a 25 percent buffer for
additional growth. She stated that the projections that the
counsel had presented, indicated that the guided sport fishery
would not reach that guideline harvest level for three to five
years, which will give time for the industry to develop the
management measures that they want implemented in the fishery. She
stated that a key part of the guideline harvest level is when the
industry reaches or exceeds that level they will not be shut down.
The intent is to provide the industry with a continuous season of
historic length and if at the end of a season, the data indicates
that the following season, the guideline harvest level may be
reached or exceeded, measures will be implemented to slow down the
harvest to kept the harvest within the 125 percent harvest level.
She stated that all that may be needed to restrict the guide
harvest to that level is a moratorium. She continued that the
third item is to establish a frame work for developing local
management plans. She stated that in Sitka and other towns, due to
the growth of the guided sport industry and the implementation of
the Individual Fish Quota (IFQ), the number of vessels in the local
area has increased, resulting in an intensified impact on the local
sport and subsistence fishermen and their ability to catch a
halibut for their own consumption. She stated that Sitka residents
organized a group through the local fish and game management
committee that represented all the different users, in order to
come up with consensus position of what regulations they would like
to see to make fish available for local people. She stated that
the counsel will take this up in February. She explained that the
plan will provide additional information on the guided sport
halibut industry. It assures the guided sport halibut industry a
continuous season, of historic length and maintains and enhances
subsistence and nonguided sport access to halibut in the Alaska
coastal communities. In addition, it ends the open ended
reallocation of halibut from the commercial to the guided sport
sector.
Number 2754
MS. BEHNKEN stated that the halibut quotas are set by the
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), which conducts
their stock assessment on an annual basis and at the end of the
season they assess the harvest by sport, subsistence and guided
sport fishermen as well as the bycatch needs of the commercial
fishermen. This is taken off the top and what was left was the
allocation for the commercial fishery. She said, "That without
some upper bound on the growth in the guided sport sector, the
potential is there for continual reallocation of the quota from the
commercial historic fleet to guided sport sector."
Number 2842
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN stated there were resolutions against the IFQ
program from every community when the system was proposed. He
stated that it used to be that commercial fisherman had a limited
area and amount of time to harvest halibut. Through the IFQ
program commercial fishermen can get their quota at their leisure
and choice of area. He stated that some do so in the middle of the
tourist season and it is conflicting with the sport fishermen both
resident and nonresident. He asked if this has been addressed by
the counsel.
Number 3007
MS. BEHNKEN stated that it has been addressed. She stated that the
counsel has also heard complaints from subsistence and sport
fishermen of the impact of guided sportfishermen on their
traditional access to customary areas. She stated that is why the
counsel has set up the third part of the plan so that all the
different groups can offer their management plans and present them
through the Board of Fisheries to the counsel. In order for a
framework to be developed to accommodate, through regulation, those
kind of impacts.
Number 3055
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN asked if it was ADF&G and the Board of Fisheries
that were going to work the frameworks together and then bring them
to the counsel.
Number 3100
MS. BEHNKEN stated that was correct. She stated that ADF&G's sport
division and members of the guided sport industry, stated that they
would like to be involved with the process of setting up the plans
and were more comfortable with the Board of Fisheries process
because all the fish and game advisory committees work through the
Board of Fisheries. It was a way to better coordinate local
involvement.
Number 3142
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN asked if she has looked over the latest changes
to Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA),
assuming that the state accepts the constitutional amendment and
there is state management. He stated that the new advisory counsel
system will have a lot of deference. He stated that four members
will be appointed by tribal organizations, three members will be
subsistence users and three members will be sport or commercial
users. He stated that adds up to seven against three. He stated
that he would imagine most tribal members to be subsistence users.
He stated that in his opinion the commercial and sport fishermen
are in the minority. He stated that the main board would not be
able to overturn any of the advisory board's decisions unless they
were arbitrary or capricious decisions. This gives a lot of
authority to the local boards. He asked Ms. Behnken if she was
aware of that.
Number 3324
MS. BEHNKEN stated that she is not all the familiar with it but her
sense is that unless Alaska makes some compromises and concessions
to accommodate the problems that exist with subsistence, Alaskans
will really be in trouble. She stated that none of the solutions
are probably what any one group would like to see but clearly
something needs to be done, if Alaska is going to retain control of
its resources.
Number 3417
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN stated that to him it is not really state
management, it will have the state management name on it but ANILCA
has to be adopted into the state's constitution in order to retain
the "state control". He stated that they are being told by the
Department of the Interior and by ANILCA that it will be submanaged
into different areas by these advisory committees and sport and
commercial fishing interests will not be represented. He
encouraged everyone to take a look at this.
Number 3506
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA stated that he would be willing to debate the
subsistence issue.
Number 3502
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that is not what the committee is here
for.
Number 3516
SHAYNE HUMPHREYS, Engineer, stated that he was on a vessel that was
sinking and he wanted to thank Alaska Marine Safety Education
Association (AMSEA) because the training made everything go
smoothly.
Number 3623
GRANT MILLER, Member, Board of Fisheries, stated that he wanted to
touch on the sustainable fisheries project. He stated that the
Board of Fisheries has a committee, that he is working on,
developing a policy for the state to maintain sustained yield with
a goal towards genetic diversity. To do this, escapement goals,
subsistence priority, harvest management, allocation, habitat,
water quality and environmental events need to be considered. He
stated that there is a lack of information and it costs money to
get this information. He stated that the legislature needs to fund
the programs in order to continue to have this resource, which
benefits the state. He stated that in the Cook Inlet area, the
sport fisherman harvest the vast majority of the king and coho
salmon, it is in the 70 to 80 percent range. He questioned what is
meant by 5 percent of the statewide stocks. He asked if it meant
5 percent of each species, he stated that he did not think that was
the case. He continued that HB 149 is divisive as it pits one
group against the other, which Alaska does not need. He continued
that a sport priority would lead to the harvest of lower quality
fish for commercial fishermen. He stated that it is not the
answer, commercial fishermen are having enough trouble competing
with farmed fish. He stated that the state needs to focus on
producing the best quality fish, which is part of the management
plan. He stated that the Board of Fisheries needs to take a look
at value added processing and quality in the proposal form as a
consideration.
Number 4117
MR. MILLER stated that the number of commercial fishermen and
resident sport fishermen have remained relatively stable. He
stated that the only changing element is the expanding user group
of the nonresident sport fishermen. He continued that the
additional use of the resource is being taken from the commercial
fishermen, the largest private sector employer in Alaska. He
stated that it needs to be recognized and he asked if there
continues to be an expanding user group how is there going to be
management for sustained yield. He stated that the harvest rates
are not going to be counted. There needs to be a way to control
and collect harvest data so there is an account of what is being
caught. He stated that even in the recent years of record runs of
salmon, the Board of Fisheries has recognized that there are local
areas of depressed stocks, such as in the Mat-Su area. He
explained that there are many reasons for the low coho salmon runs
and it is not as simple as the commercial fishermen are
overharvesting. He stated that harvest practices, habitat,
development, water quality and predation have an effect on the
resource. He gave an example of a marine mammal predation problem
in Bristol Bay of beluga whales eating migrating smolts. He
asserted that there are a lot of things to consider and without the
research to get the data that is needed, Alaska will lose its
resource.
Number 4521
MR. MILLER stated that it is imperative that the legislature
recognize the importance of adequate funding for research, so there
can be an informed management of the species. He referred to the
Board of Fisheries' dilemma in trying to manage an area where the
escapement level on the king salmon is unknown. ADF&G does not
have enough funds to answer the questions and without those answers
the damage, impacts, and potential of the resource is unknown.
Number 4614
MR. MILLER stated that he will look into the ANILCA panel. He
stated that if the state loses its management of the resource,
Alaska will be in trouble. He stated that through the direction of
the Board of Fisheries and the programs that they have put in place
throughout the state there is starting to be a handle on the
problems. He stated the public involvement in the Board of
Fisheries is something that needs to be expanded on. He stated
that additional funding needs to be spent to empower the advisory
committees in this process.
TAPE 97-34, SIDE B
Number 0010
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN thanked Mr. Miller for attending the hearing and
stated that his comments regarding the funding is something that
the committee has been hearing on a statewide basis.
Number 0044
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN stated that he would be happy to talk to Mr.
Miller about the changes to ANILCA. He stated that fish and game
management is going to be radically changed by this time next year.
Number 0134
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING thanked Mr. Miller for his testimony. He
stated he recognizes that the 5 percent portion of the bill is
vaguely worded and it will be left to ADF&G to decide as far as
what species would be allowed to go over certain numbers. He
stated that he does not want to micro-manage the fisheries. He
stated that he recognizes the concern of asking for 5 percent of
the statewide stocks and then only focus on one or two species. He
stated that he would be happy to modify the bill to be more
specific.
Number 0308
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN recognized that Representative Grussendorf was
present.
Number 0318
JAMES SWIFT, Commercial Fisherman, stated that he is against HB
149. He stated that compared to the fisheries in the Lower 48,
Alaskans are very fortunate. He stated that there are good stocks
and good management due to ADF&G, the Board of Fisheries, and the
various counsels and advisory groups. He questioned if we should
change a system that is working well. He stated that there are
certainly problems but overall Alaska is really fortunate, as other
states do not have any fish. The decisions need to be based on
science, as it is not a political process. He referred to the IPHC
which was formed by the fishermen through a treaty with Canada and
has a resulted in a healthy fishery. He stated that he is pleased
with the system and the process of the Board of Fisheries. He
stated that the charter boat industry is the wild card in the
system and it is expanding.
Number 0926
RALPH GUTHRIE stated that he is opposed to SB 40 because it is a
discreet stock management style. He said to Representative Ogan,
"I think you came here for a public meeting and not to inject
discrimination into the situation." He stated that there has been
many board members from all points of Alaska on the Board of
Fisheries and it functions for the people of Alaska. He said "If
we are going to change the management style a little bit, many of
our people are fishermen. They have a feeling for conservation
too." He stated that conservation is a major deal for the long
term usage of the fisheries.
MR. GUTHRIE stated that he is against HB 149. The problem is in
the Mat-Su area and should be taken care of in that area. He
stated that the Board of Fisheries has always tried there best to
deal with the conservation needs of the state. He stated that
having the legislature allocate fish is inconsistent with the Board
of Fisheries' process.
Number 1207
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that the reason for the legislation
is because of the frustration the many people feel in Southcentral
Alaska, that the board is not addressing this issue adequately. He
stated that he understood the philosophy that the legislature
should stay out of the process but he filed the bill because he
does not feel his constituents' needs were being addressed.
Number 1309
MR. GUTHRIE stated that part of the problem may be that there are
too many fishermen. He stated that this legislation is not going
to deal with the expanding number of fishermen taking the resource.
He stated that one does not increase fisheries in order to get fish
back. He stated that after the federal government started to
destroy the Southeast Alaskan salmon fisheries, the state of Alaska
cut back all users to get the fish back into the streams. He
stated that this legislation that affects the entire state is not
going to give Representative Kohring one more fish in the river.
Number 1511
BRIAN BIGLER, Member, Northern Southeastern Regional Aquaculture
Association; and Employee, Wards Cove Packing Company, stated that
he shares the concerns of HB 149. He stated that he is a member of
the processing industry and has a personal interest in this issue.
He agreed with the statement, "The state of Alaska can brag that we
have the healthiest wild sustainable salmon run resource left in
the world." He stated that since Alaska's statehood the Board of
Fisheries process has operated very well, however he would not
dispute that there are some difficulties with certain areas in the
state. He stated that HB 149 addresses the issue in the wrong way,
it is undermining a very successful program. He stated that the
system is good in Alaska and we should work within those bounds to
find a solution.
Number 1734
MR. BIGLER explained the pay and retirement program for a biologist
at ADF&G. He stated that as a result of this program there are
going to well qualified people who are no longer going to be in the
system. He stated that the reduction of funds to ADF&G will result
in retirement incentives which will cause a loss of qualified
people. The new qualifications for hiring new biologists are
different then the qualifications twenty years ago. He stated that
the resource could suffer severe damage due to the reduction in
funds to ADF&G.
Number 2044
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN agreed with Mr. Bigler and stated that it is
important that people are aware of what is going to happen with the
changes to ANILCA. He stated that the allocation system and ADF&G
as we know it, are going to be things of the past.
Number 2150
DEBRA LYONS, Crew Member, Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture
Association Board (NSRAA), stated that she is also a member of
Northern Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission and is a
representative of the power and hand troll fishermen in the U.S.-
Canada stake holder negotiations. She stated that she used to be
on the Board of Fisheries. She stated that British Columbia,
Premier Glen Clark has been saying that "There is no point in
conserving or producing the salmon if they are going to be caught
by foreigners." She continued that we have allocation problems in
the state but one never hears a Mat-Su fisherman saying, "I'm not
going to conserve or protect these fish because those bums out in
Kodiak are catching them." She stated that Alaskans do not think
that way, they always put the resource first. She read the
following into the record:
"In Southeast Alaska we have learned that by cooperating with one
another and supporting projects which enhance all fishing
opportunities in the region, we strengthen the total fishing
economy we all depend on. On the NSRAA Board, through the projects
of the association, we produce Chinook, coho, sockeye and chum
salmon, that are shared by all common property fishermen. Two
years ago more than 40 percent of all total sport catch in Sitka
Sound were hatchery fish and a big percentage was from the NSRAA
hatchery.
"NSRAA is also involved in a pilot project with the Sitka Tribe to
utilize salmon carcasses and wood chips to produce high quality
compost. It's our Southeast fish and chips project. We've begun
work with the Northwest food banks to make surplus fish available
to Sitka residents. We provide the fish to feed the birds at the
raptor center. The meeting hall is a community resource, we make
it available free of charge. It is a popular place for quilters,
potluck dinners and informational forums. We have been very
responsible in the way we conduct our activities at NSRAA in order
to preserve the health of wild stocks as our number one priority in
the region.
"We are a board of tight-fisted, penny pinching fishermen. Our
projects are designed to ensure that 70 percent of what is produced
is taken in the common property fisheries and that there will be
stocks available to take for cost recovery. The cost recovery
monies, as you know, in addition to the 3 percent Aquaculture Tax
on the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) permit holders,
cover the costs of the projects and allow us to repay our debt to
the state. We are very happy, as we have almost eliminated that
debt.
"We are not hear to whine or ask for any special treatment from you
or for any handouts. We are not here for a big battle but we are
very concerned that HB 149 is quite threatening to the economic
stability of the region and it ignores the historical context of
the fisheries.
"What HB 149 could do is establish a preference for the limitless
thousands of cruise ship passengers that come to our area. It
would potentially involve a major reallocation especially if, as I
read your bill, salmon returning to spawn in the waters of Alaska
could extend to our hatchery returning fish. We would argue for an
exemption from that but if that is how this is interpreted, that is
where we see our organization's projects being involved, in what HB
149 would do. There is an expectation that hatchery produced
Chinook salmon would be taken in the commercial fisheries and where
that comes from is the Pacific Salmon Treaty."
Number 2889
MS. LYONS referred to a quote from Senator Stevens. She stated
that in 1985, there was a treaty that allowed Alaska to not have to
count the hatchery fish produced in Alaska against the treaty
quota. Therefore all hatchery fish were allowed to be kept as
mitigation for the loses taken when the treaty was signed because
we permanently gave away part of Alaska's share of fish. She
stated that projections were that 200,000 Chinook salmon would be
harvested by 1990 in Southeast Alaska. She stated that last year
only 56,000 Chinook salmon were harvested in Southeast Alaska by
all the gear types. She stated that fishermen are waiting for the
hatchery fish to offset the reduction that they took in 1985.
Number 2934
MS. LYONS referred to her handout on the Pacific Salmon Treaty
regarding the comparison of the catch rates before the treaty was
signed and at present with the abundance based management program.
She stated that the commercial catch is split with the 80 to 20
percent allocation and as a result the sport fisheries are doing
very well. They have a good number of fish that they are fishing
on especially as compared to where they were before the treaty.
She stated that troll harvest is still down 24 percent compared to
where they were before the treaty was signed, even though the
abundance is 50 percent higher. The sport fishery is 158 percent
higher then where they were before the treaty was signed. She
stated that right now the sport fishery can take all the hatchery
fish that they can catch.
Number 3142
MS. LYONS stated that all HJR 38 would do is allow the public to
vote whether limited entry could be applied to these groups and
then at a later time it could be implemented to all or part of the
state. She stated she sees a lot of merit in putting limited entry
on the ballot and then it could be decided on what part of the
state it would apply to. Southeast Alaska, because of the
unlimited number of cruise ships coming in, needs a limited entry
sport fishing system.
Number 3231
MS. LYONS stated that she is very concerned that the state retain
its management of the resources on the subsistence issue. She
agreed with Representative Ogan's concern about the way the
subsistence board would make regulations, as their recommendations
would be very hard to overturn. She stated that she thought the
reason some people in the room took offense to that was because
of the idea that an all Native Board could not represent broader
interests. She stated that there are Native people in the
communities who are commercial fishermen, or who run sport fishing
lodges, although they would be on the subsistence board it is not
impossible that they could represent other aspects of the
community. She stated that we need to make the compromises work
because federal management would be a disaster.
Number 3435
MS. LYONS referred to the funding issue. She said, "There are new
aquaculture farms down in the area where we have a cabin. We have
a lot of illegal activity, where the people are digging clams not
on their permitted areas and there is no way to enforce it." She
stated that there is no budget for enforcement. She stated that
they have given up on having a legal functioning aquaculture
program there, because of lack of funds.
Number 3524
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that he meant no disrespect to the
commercial fishermen but the tourism industry is a significant part
of the Mat-Su's economy. He said, "I make no bones about the fact
that I am excited about the prospects of my legislation getting
through because of the economic gain that we will see in the
valley. Because it is more than just simply putting out fish on
the tables or about Alaskans and families putting fish in the
freezers it is also the economic considerations. So it just seems
to me that there is a lot of potential here in Sitka and the
Southeast for something of this nature and concept of this bill to
direct more sport fishing opportunities, providing more sport
fishing opportunities to the public, which could in turn greatly
enhance the tourist aspect of the economy. I mean no disrespect to
the commercial folks here but it just seems like that should be
given consideration as far as the significant economic benefit."
Number 3637
MS. LYONS stated that there is a large sport fishing community in
Sitka, but she stated that she felt Representative Kohring does not
realize that he could end up eliminating other group that is also
very important to the economy. She stated that the number of
tourists are so great compared to the small number of treaty king
salmon. She stated that a preferential allocation would result in
eliminating another important group's ability to use the resource.
She stated that Representative Kohring does not have a real grasp
of the proportion of the effect the bill will have.
Number 3725
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN stated that he concurred with Ms. Lyon's
assessment that federal management of the resource would be a
disaster and stated that he does not want that. Representative
Ogan stated that he would like to apologize if he offended anybody
or inferred that it was a negative racial remark because that was
not what he intended. He stated that he just wanted to outline the
proposed make up of the board. He stated that three out of the ten
will represent the sport and commercial fishing interest and the
other seven will be from other interests. He stated that the sport
and commercial fishermen need to look at that because he did not
think that is was a good representation. He stated that we will
have federal management whether there is a state name on it or not.
In order to avoid the federal takeover we have to conform our
constitution and our statutes to match the federal management
system which is ANILCA. He stated that it can be called federal
management by the state or federal management by the feds if the
constitution is not amended, but either way it will be the federal
system. He stated that people need to look at the system and its
impact to decide what is to be done.
Number 3858
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA stated that he does not want to sit here and
listen to Representative Ogan give his opinions on subsistence and
not be able to say anything himself. He stated that the issue of
subsistence has been before the state for years. He said, "We have
had a refusal by the republican legislature and this is a fact, to
address this issue to let the people decide. I have sat in two
special sessions on this where we did not have the votes because
not one republican would vote to let the people of Alaska decide
and now you are getting more shoved down your throat." He stated
that he has been for rural subsistence preference ever since he was
in the legislature because he does not want to be divided by race.
He stated that the federal government has the ability to divide as
there are Native preferences all over the country relating to
resources. He stated that the legislature has to stand up and take
some action and deal with the issue and not just sit back and not
do anything. He stated that the minority can not do it without the
majority. He stated that he did not want to debate subsistence all
day (spectators applauded).
Number 4041
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that we are not here to debate the
subsistence issue. He said, "The question of whether commercial
fishermen should pay attention to what is happening with the
subsistence issue is something that everybody needs to pay
attention to." He stated that there will be no further debate of
the subsistence issue.
Number 4105
ERIC JORDEN stated that he is a life long Alaskan, his father was
a commercial fisherman and charter operator. He stated that he has
sport and subsistence fished and served fifteen years on the local
fish and game advisory committee, four of them as chairman. He
stated that Sitka is a place where the residents have a history of
working together to conserve and share the abundance of the marine
resources. He stated that Sitka was; the first area to conserve
abalone for resident harvests, the author of the concept of the
minimum threshold of herring available before there could be a
commercial harvest and is at the present concentrating on efforts
to conserve and share the halibut resource. He stated that the
method that has been successful is to work within the Board of
Fisheries, with the advisory committee system, along with ADF&G, to
develop consensus positions and then work within the system to have
these positions passed into regulation. He stated that before the
groups can share the resource the idea that a particular group has
a higher right to the fish needs to be given up. He stated that he
would advise the legislature to fully fund ADF&G so that they can
do the research and management needed to conserve these discreet
stocks of concern. He stated that he would recommend funding and
training for the advisory committee system so the volunteers are
able to bring the public together to conserve and share these
resources.
Number 4510
MR. JORDEN stated that he has recently served on a sustainable
fisheries panel to the Board of Fisheries and this project could
help meet the goals of the discreet stock management bill. He
stated that one of the specifics of that project is a gap analysis
of the difference between what is being done and what needs to be
done to sustain the salmon stocks. He stated that in the state's
analysis, a biologist said, "The best gap analysis is the
difference between ADF&G field office request for project funding
and what has been allocated in the last several years." He stated
that the last few legislatures have been gutting the best fisheries
management system in the world. He stated that all groups of
fishermen have always been willing to make harvest scarifies for
conservation of the resource and for Alaskan residents who need the
fish to eat.
TAPE 97-35, SIDE A
Number 0001
MR. JORDEN stated that currently there is an increasing charter
presence in the state and commercial fishermen are unwilling to
give up fish so that other people can make money off of them. He
stated that it is very tempting for the legislature to try and
enact legislature solutions to problems that the Board of Fisheries
has successfully dealt with for generations. He stated that in the
past the legislature has had the wisdom to stay out of the
allocation business. He asked that this legislature stay out of
the fishery management business. He asked that the advisory
committee system and ADF&G be funded to do the job for them.
Number 0212
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN reiterated that it is still the legislature
that delegates all the authority to the boards and it is in the
legislature's prerogative to do it. Whether it is wise or not is
debatable. He stated that he wanted to make sure everybody is
aware that the legislature does have the authority to manage it.
Number 0301
MR. JORDEN stated that he does not question that at all.
Number 0332
ROBERT ELLIS, Fisheries Biologist, stated that he has worked all
over the state. He stated that he is opposed to HB 149. He stated
that the legislature should be supporting science based management
as is now being conducted by the Board of Fisheries and is very
well augmented by the local fish and game advisory committees. He
stated that the present system of management should be kept and the
legislature can help the system work by supplying more funding to
ADF&G for research.
Number 0541
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN stated that he is hearing that more and more.
Number 0545
PETE ESQUIRO, General Manger, Northern Southeast Regional
Aquaculture Association, read the following into the record:
"NSRAA is one of five salmon enhancement associations operating in
the state of Alaska. We work with all species of salmon releasing
a minimum of 120 million juvenile salmon into the ocean each year.
These releases result in adult returns that contribute very
significantly to all the common property fisheries in Southeast
Alaska.
"We are concerned that HB 149 does not make a distinction between
naturally produced salmon and enhanced stocks. We do not believe
that HB 149 should apply to salmon produced by the various
enhancement projects operating throughout the state. In most cases
these fish are caught near terminal and designated special harvest
areas, relatively inaccessible to large numbers of sport,
subsistence and personal use fishermen. The high number species
that they produce are of virtually little or no interest to many of
those users. Salmon returning to NSRAA projects are already
subject to high interception rates and provide added relief to all
common property fisheries. 85 percent of NRSAA's total adult
returns are taken by the various common property fisheries, 15
percent are used for brood stock and for cost recovery.
Number 0824
"The wording in HB 149 pertaining to reserving for sport,
subsistence and personal use fisheries, 5 percent of the projected
statewide harvest, is also of great concern. It does not look at
this on a species by species basis. It is probable that under this
provision, if left alone, all Chinook, all silver salmon and a
significant portion of all the reds in the state, will no longer be
available for commercial purposes. If this were adopted, it would
mean that the historic troll fishery of Southeast Alaska could very
easily vanish and major red fisheries, all over the state, could be
drastically curtailed or disappear. There is a good chance that
they would disappear because this bill seems to move in a direction
of in-river run management, and the quality of those fish that
would available at that point would be dramatically decreased. One
need only to look at areas where in-river commercial fishing was
tried to see that they have never been successful enough to sustain
themselves over a long period of time.
Number 0935
"Finally, I do not believe that the legislature really wants to be
in the business of allocating salmon. Placing salmon management
issues in the political arena has it problems, I believe.
Allocation decisions have been and should continue to be the role
and function of the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Furthermore,
enacting a law which has statewide implications, as this would
have, to solve an allocation dispute in one particular area of the
state simply makes no sense."
Number 1047
MIKE SAUNDERS, Commercial Fisherman; and President, Lynn Canal
Gilnetters Association, stated that he is on the board at NSRAA.
He stated that his life style will be impacted by this bill and is
worried about having to give up his lifestyle. He stated that a
lot of terms are defined in the bill except for the term sport
fishermen and it should be. He stated subsistence has a priority
over commercial fishing and if Alaska resident sport fishermen are
not getting enough fish, he would give up his fish for them. But
in the bill a sport fisherman could be a commercial charter
operator with 700 clients a year. He stated that the legislature
has a lot more valuable things that they could do with their time
then to get into this issue. He stated that he did not agree with
everything the Board of Fisheries does but everybody is represented
on the Board Fisheries and these issues should be decided by them.
Number 1454
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that it is not clear in his mind why
Mr. Saunders feels this legislation would be a threat to him and to
the commercial industry. He said, "Our goal here is to put just a
little bit bigger piece of that pie into the -- make it available
to the personal consumptive user." He stated that if 5 percent of
the goal was reached there would still be 95 percent of the
resource out there. He asked Mr. Saunders if in light of this
would he deem this to be a threat to the commercial industry and
his livelihood.
Number 1544
MR. SAUNDERS stated that there is a king salmon fishery in Haines
in the Chilkat Inlet that is managed very well. He stated that
there is derby in it as well, but with the sport fishing priority
if sport fishermen feel they need more fish then the entire fishery
could be shut down for a couple of weeks. This would cost him up
to $5,000 a week, possibly not be able to make his payments and
then he could lose his boat.
Number 1714
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA referred to Section 16.05.740, line 17, "A
salmon stock may not be allocated to a commercial fishery at any
point along its migration route unless the board and the department
have determined that the portion of the sock reserved under this
subsection to satisfy the harvest needs of a common consumptive use
fishery will be available." He stated that HB 149 would stop the
fishery all the way through Cook Inlet because there is one river
up in the Mat-Su Valley that is not getting enough fish or even
stop all fishing in Southeast Alaska. He stated that is one of the
biggest problems he has with the bill; it has ability to destroy
many rivers by stopping the fishing of that area if it is felt that
one river is not getting enough fish.
Number 1908
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that he would be willing to address
the issue and perhaps make modifications if it is deemed
appropriate by the committee. He stated that the legislation is
just his ideas to get the dialogue going and to let people know
that there is a problem in the valley. He stated that he is open
to resolve the problem, if it means modifying the bill or throwing
it out .... (TAPE CHANGE)
TAPE 97-35, SIDE B
Number 0005
ROBERT SCHELL, Board Chairman, Seafood Producers Cooperative; and
Commercial Fisherman, stated that he is against HB 149. He
participates in the salmon troll fishery in Southeast Alaska. The
Seafood Producers Cooperative is composed of 462 fishermen members
and 353 members hold Alaska limited entry power troll permits. He
stated that the members own a cold storage plant in Sitka and can
deliver products from Ketchikan to Dutch harbor. House Bill 149
could be called the demise of commercial fishing in Alaska bill.
He stated that almost all salmon fisheries in Alaska are intercept
fisheries to some extent. House Bill 149 would close over 1,000
small businesses participating in the troll fishery in Southeast
Alaska. Each troll permit represents a small business generating
income for the fishermen, crew members, shore side processors, and
support businesses. He stated that along with the income generated
for the private sector, revenue is generated for local communities
through the tax base and for the communities in the state of Alaska
through the raw fish taxes. He stated that Southeast Alaska has
been hit hard by the loss of the logging industry which has
resulted in a cut of government spending. He stated that Alaska
can not afford the passage of HB 149 and the private sector could
not survive the passage of this bill.
Number 0420
MR. SCHELL stated that the Seafood Producers Cooperative members
hold over a third of the power troll permits in Alaska. He stated
that in the past two years they have invested an additional $2
million in the Sitka plant. The commercial fishermen have
individual investments in the processing and selling of their
catches. He stated that the latest investments were made with the
future of the fisheries in mind. He stated that the Board of
Fisheries has worked very well in Alaska and is the proper forum
for these issues. He stated that the fish stocks have rebounded
from the federal management before statehood.
Number 0540
MR. SCHELL stated that HB 176 would generate the profit margins
needed to develop and market new products and help compete in the
domestic retail markets. He asked for support of HB 176.
Number 0746
MR. SCHELL stated that HB 73, which would extend the statewide
marketing tax, is imperative so that the Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute (ASMI) can be continued. He explained how this program
can develop a stronger domestic market that will make up for the
farmed fish competition on the international market.
Number 0909
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated that he appreciates ASMI and how the
commercial fishing industry has brought the program to the point
where it is self sufficient. He stated that he wished the tourism
industry and others would take a cue from this and recognize that
programs like this can run without subsidizes from the government.
He said, "The comment has been made numerous times here tonight
that the proper forum to address issues and allocation in the Board
of Fisheries and I counter that by saying I don't think the
department has managed adequately enough to address our concern out
in the valley." He stated that in 1994 Governor Knowles stated
that he would make Northern Cook Inlet the sport fish capital of
the world. Representative Kohring stated that he does not see it
moving in that direction.
Number 1051
MR. SCHELL stated that he understands what Representative Kohring
is saying in some respects but he has also heard from many people
from the area and read various publications that there is ample
fish for people from the Lower 48 to come up and fill freezers, can
fish and then sell it. He stated that he did not know if the
problem was a perception problem of if they just want more. He
stated that the use of nets, as with the dipnet fishery, should not
be considered sport fishing. He stated that it is a finite
resource and he could not understand why the commercial sport
guiding industry should displace an industry that is already there.
Number 1221
MR. SCHELL stated that the state lent him money and encouraged him
to get into the commercial fishing industry and buy a new boat. He
stated that to have a bill that would dump that entire industry
does not make any sense.
Number 1257
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA stated that Representative Kohring is on the
House Standing Finance Committe and Governor Knowles has made
certain political promises but he also has to submit a budget that
the legislature has to allow for funding. Representative Kubina
stated that it needs to be recognized that ADF&G's budget has not
been funded at the level that Governor Knowles has requested. He
stated that the constant message from all of these meetings is the
need for more funding. He stated that if we want Governor Knowles
to live up to his word, we need to fund those areas, otherwise we
cannot criticize him when it is the legislature that is not
allocating the funds to those areas.
Number 1442
ARNIE FUGLVOG, Representative, Petersburg Vessel Owners
Association, testified via teleconference from Petersburg, that the
association is against HB 149. He stated that on several occasions
it has been said that this bill would only reallocate 5 percent of
the statewide salmon predictions. This seems fair enough until the
predictions are actually looked at. He stated that last year it
was 204 million salmon, which would allocate up to 10 million fish
for personal and sport harvesters. He stated that it is unlikely
that there would be much interest in sport fishing for 10 million
pink salmon but certainly king and coho salmon would be popular.
He stated that last year's harvest of king and coho salmon was
around 4.5 million fish. He stated that the sports fishermen could
demand 100 percent of the entire statewide commercial harvest of
king and coho and still not be anywhere near the 5 percent cap of
10 million fish. He stated that in this case 5 percent really
means 100 percent of the resource. In order to ensure that anglers
would be able to harvest the 5 percent, the Board of Fisheries
would be obligated to provide for harvest needs of sport fishermen
before a commercial fishery could occur.
Number 1658
MR. FUGLVOG stated that since Southeast Alaska recorded 530,000
angler days in 1995, HB 149 would be applicable to our fisheries.
He stated that if Southeast Alaska's commercial fisheries were
delayed, as required in the bill, the fleet would be fishing in
terminal areas where the only salmon available for harvest would be
dark and unmarketable. The result would be Alaskan salmon would no
longer be able to compete on the world market and our economies
would suffer.
Number 1731
MR. FUGLVOG stated that last year when Petersburg was faced with a
similar threat under the F.I.S.H. Initiative, the city of
Petersburg and the Chamber of Commerce recognized the potential
economic cost associated with this type of measure and both the
city and chamber passed resolutions opposing the Initiative. House
Bill 149 isn't fair, it doesn't provide for a better way to manage
our fisheries resource and it hurts the economy. He stated that HB
149 does not make sense for Alaska.
Number 1815
MR. FUGLVOG stated that the association strongly supports the
halibut charter management plan that was recently approved by the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The public accesses the
halibut resource through three methods, fishing from their own
boats, fishing from charter boats and purchasing fish at local
markets. He stated that by balancing the needs of subsistence,
sport, charter and halibut fishermen, the management plan ensures
that consumers throughout the nation, as well as residents and
visitors to Alaska, continue to access and enjoy the halibut
resource.
Number 1912
GERRY MERRIGAN, Commercial Troller; and Alaskan Representative,
Pacific Salmon Commission, testified via teleconference from
Petersburg, that his quest is for accuracy and facts as there is a
big difference between public perception and fact.
TAPE 97-36, SIDE A
Number 0001
MR. MERRIGAN stated that this issue should be taken up by the Board
of Fisheries. He stated the angler hour criteria will include
Southeast Alaska. He said, "There is no personal use for king
salmon and there is limited if any subsistence use, this leaves
sport use only." He stated that sport use is both resident and
nonresident, the only growth being in the nonresident harvest. He
stated that in 1985, the king catch was 70 percent for resident
sport fishermen and 30 percent for nonresident sport fishermen. In
1995, the king catch was 70 percent for nonresident sport fishermen
and 30 percent for resident fishermen. He stated that two-thirds
of this nonresident catch occurs on charter vessels, only five
percent of the residents Southeast king salmon harvest occurs on
charter vessels. He stated that charter vessels are unregulated in
regards to limited entry.
Number 0117
MR. MERRIGAN stated the in Southeast Alaska 90 percent of the
commercial harvest is pink and chum salmon. The real issue is the
king, coho, and sockeye salmon, which are the mainstays of the
Southeast Alaskan troll and gilnet fisheries. He stated that under
HB 149 all king, coho, and sockeye salmon could be reserved for
sport fishing only, which is predominately nonresident. He stated
commercial fishing would be eliminated basically for nonresident
use which goes against the stated intention to put fish on the
plates of Alaskans. He stated that the sport king salmon harvest
in Southeast Alaska has been up 15 to 20 percent and up to 4
percent for coho harvest. This bill would means elimination of
certain fisheries and it would impact the seine fisheries as well.
He stated that the troll fleet is made up of 85 percent residents
and the nonresidents would be the ones who would benefit from the
elimination of this fleet. He said, "HB 149 is a wolf in sheep's
clothing."
Number 0226
MR. MERRIGAN referred to Section 16.05.740, lines 17 through 21, "A
salmon stock may not be allocated to a commercial fishery at any
point along its migration route unless the board and the department
have determined that the portion of the stock reserved under this
subsection to satisfy the harvest needs of a common consumptive use
fishery." He stated that in Southeast Alaska there is basically
small salmon systems, which is why there are predominately mixed
stock fisheries, there are not large terminal fisheries because
there are not large terminal rivers. He stated that this section
is mandating an unrealistic management objective. He stated that
the intent of the bill may be well meaning, the reality of HB 149
is devastating to Alaskan residents.
Number 0259
BILL FOSTER, former Charter Guide; and Representative, Recreational
Fisheries Northern Panel Pacific Salmon Commission, stated that he
started chartering in 1984, in Southeast Alaska and 1997 was the
first year he did not charter. He stated that he is still
interested in the charter industry. He stated that when he first
heard of the F.I.S.H Initiative he thought it would put a lot of
pressure on the sport fishermen to catch 5 percent of the pink
salmon in Southeast Alaska. He stated that sport anglers would
have to use seine boats to catch 5 percent of the pink salmon in
Alaska. He stated that it might help the problems in Southcentral
Alaska but it would be very confusing in Southeast Alaska. He
stated that he was against the F.I.S.H. Initiative and went so far
as to give a wild life charter at the anti-F.I.S.H. Initiative
booth at the Palmer Fair. He stated that HB 149 does pose a lot of
problems and he hoped that it could be worked out. He stated that
he had a lot of faith in the Board of Fisheries.
Number 0612
MR. FOSTER stated the time has come to limit the charter fleets and
he stated that he would support HJR 38.
Number 0631
DAN CASTLE, President, Southeast Alaska Seiner's Association,
stated that it is a falsehood that the seiners are insulated from
the 5 percent, they are not because of the magnitude of the
systems, 2,500 salmon bearing systems, in the Southeast Alaska.
Seiners do not fish in terminal areas. He stated that the whole
concept of fishing for wild stocks in terminal areas was deemed a
failure a long time ago because there is no way to manage the 2,500
systems or monitor who is fishing where. He stated that the
seiners have moved away from fishing the mouths of the creeks and
are fishing on mixed stocks. He stated that every gear group in
Southeast Alaska fishes on mixed stocks. He stated that because
people are saying that they can't catch enough fish to feed their
families, instead of asking for a small closure, the proposed
solution of HB 149 is to start at the ocean and work in, closing
fisheries along the way.
Number 0917
REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA stated that its seems like everyone who comes
to Alaska wants to be fishermen and hunters. He stated that he was
a ring man on a seine boat and he had his own troller. He stated
that he hoped Representative Kohring has gotten the feel from these
numerous testifiers that HB 149 is not the answer to the problem in
the Mat-Su Valley. He referred to Representative Kohring's comment
that all he wants is 5 percent of the fish. Representative Kubina
stated that nobody could argue with that but that really isn't the
case, it is a lot more complicated than that. He referred to
Representative Kohring's statement that he only wants to find a way
to get more fish on his constituents' table. Representative Kubina
stated that he thought Alaskan residents would support him on that.
He stated that the people on the Kenai are doing a lot
environmentally so that people can fish without hurting their
surroundings. He stated that he was out on the Deshka several
years ago and it was really crowded and full of traffic with the
jet boats and planes. He stated that he would encourage a local
solution to what is a local problem. He compared a solution to the
adopt a highway effort, in that if the rivers could be worked on at
one stretch at time the problem could be resolved. He stated that
he does not want to argue with Representative Kohring about the
issue but he does not want to see people getting hurt in the
process. He stated that he would be willing to go out there and
work with Representative Kohring towards a solution.
Number 1244
REPRESENTATIVE MARK HODGINS, testified via teleconference from
Kenai, that he did agree with Representative Kubina that there is
a lot regarding habitat and enforcement that has been on the Kenai,
that could be a solution for the Mat-Su area. He thanked that
residents of Sitka for coming forward with their comments.
Number 1323
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING thanked everybody for their testimony and
stated that he looks forward to working together.
Number 1405
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN thanked everybody in Sitka. He stated he is
from the Mat-Su and there is a real problem in the Deshka River as
it was shut down for a couple of years and it is now starting to
come back through major scarifying.
Number 1508
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN thanked everybody for their testimony and stated
that HB 149 would be held over until the upcoming session.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1510
CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN adjourned the Special House Committee on
Fisheries meeting at 3:34 p.m.
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