Legislature(2011 - 2012)
03/22/2011 06:06 PM House FSH
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings: Alaska Department of Fish & Game | |
| Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (cfec) | |
| Alaska Board of Fisheries (bof) | |
| 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
March 22, 2011
6:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Steve Thompson, Chair
Representative Craig Johnson, Vice Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt
Representative Scott Kawasaki
Representative Bob Miller
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Alan Austerman
Representative Bob Herron
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS(S):
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Cora Campbell - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Benjamin Brown - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Michael Smith - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CORA CAMPBELL, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed commissioner to
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G).
JULIANNE CURRY, Director
Petersburg Vessel Owners Association
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
GERALD McCUNE, Lobbyist
United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA)
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
KARL JOHNSTONE, Vice Chair
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
RICK GEASE, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
CRAIG COMPEAU, Board Member
Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Alaska (SFW)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
KEN LARSEN, Secretary
Prince William Sound Charter Boat Association
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Commissioner Cora Campbell.
BENJAMIN BROWN, Appointee
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Commercial
Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC).
MICHAEL SMITH, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries (BOF).
RICK GEASE, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Michael Smith.
KARL JOHNSTONE, Vice Chair
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Michael Smith.
CRAIG COMPEAU, Board Member
Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Alaska (SFW)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
Michael Smith.
ACTION NARRATIVE
6:06:41 PM
CHAIR STEVE THOMPSON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Representatives Thompson, Kawasaki, Pruitt, Miller,
and Johnson.
^Confirmation Hearings: Alaska Department of Fish & Game
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
6:06:52 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the only order of business would
be confirmation hearings for various board and commissioner
appointments.
6:07:46 PM
CORA CAMPBELL, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish & Game
(ADF&G), provided a brief biography of growing up in Petersburg,
Alaska, in a fishing family. Additionally, she provided a
summary of her education and work in the fishing industry and
political arena.
6:10:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked a series of prepared question,
beginning with:
Can you give us your view concerning the priority that
is given to subsistence hunting and fishing in Alaska.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL stated support for the subsistence
priority law as set forth by both the state and federal
governments. She stated her belief that continuing subsistence
traditions represents an important use of Alaskan resources, and
said she intends to manage the department accordingly.
6:11:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON continued:
How will you work to improve the relationship between
the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, the Board of
Game, and the Board of Fish, and Alaska subsistence
users.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL replied that dialogue has been initiated
with the named entities and she expressed a desire to work
cooperatively. Additionally, areas of shared interests are
being identified in order to promote working together.
6:12:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked:
What will you do to address the ... low salmon
returns.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL answered that the low salmon returns are a
cause for great concern, particularly the lack of Chinook to the
Yukon River. The Chinook salmon are being researched on a
global level to gain a better understanding of the run;
utilizing test fisheries, sonar, and working through the North
Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) process to obtain
by-catch control.
6:13:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON posed:
Most people agree that we should manage fish and game
and wildlife in our state upon the basic scientific
principles. Can you explain your knowledge of these
principles in which the management of these resources
is based.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said that three principles apply,
regardless of the resource being discussed: sustained yield
where all populations are managed to a size that allows for self
sustainability; precautionary, which states that the more
uncertainty that exists in a population assessment, precautions
are taken to incorporate a built-in buffer regarding harvest
opportunities; and the eco system principle holding that
everything is interrelated and interdependent, thus a single
population should not be managed in isolation. The principles
would be applied differently, depending on the resource being
considered. Regarding salmon populations the goal would be to
allow harvest in excess of escapement needs. When considering a
population of long lived, slow growing rock fish, the harvest
approach would need to be more conservative.
6:15:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON summarized the final question:
Most of your experience is in commercial fishing.
That causes some concern for some of the other user
groups. Can you please explain why it should not be a
concern for personal use and sports fisherman, that
you as commissioner and all of your vast experience in
commercial ... Please help me understand that.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said she routinely sport fishes,
participates in personal use fisheries, and holds a respect for
all of the resources and fishery responsibilities. Citing her
work at the governor's office, she said she has learned to work
with all users, has become an advocate for fisheries first, and
believes she will be able to address issues in a fair and
balanced way.
6:17:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER queried whether she has plans for helping
improve the salmon runs and stemming the by-catch issues.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL responded that the NPFMC has taken action,
which is now being implemented, that places a cap on the number
of Chinook that can be taken by the Pollock toll fisheries. The
cap is being argued, but it's the first time one has been
imposed, and represents a step forward. The department is also
working through the council process to create a similar program
for non-Chinook by-catch, in the Bering Sea trawl fisheries, as
well as to address Chinook by-catch in the Gulf of Alaska (GOF).
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER noted that the programs mentioned were
entered into prior to her appointment, and asked whether she has
any new initiatives to offer for consideration or
implementation.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL responded that development of the Bering
Sea non-Chinook by-catch, and GOF Chinook by-catch programs have
occurred as a result of her being seated on the council.
Mechanisms for cooperative information sharing are being
considered, as an alternative to a hard cap maximum on fisheries
involved with by-catch limits.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER asked whether she has previously held a
position that involved hiring and firing.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said yes, although firing has not been
necessary.
6:21:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON referred to the self imposed, one percent
levy, which the Bristol Bay fishermen impose on themselves for
salmon development, and inquired how it works and whether it's a
model that could be used elsewhere.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said that the state collects the levy and
passes it on to a Regional Seafood Development Association
(RSDA). Members are permit holders, who have chosen to assess
themselves, and are governed by participants elected to a board
of directors, which manage the funds for the best benefit of the
fisheries. She named three existing RSDA's and said that
provisions exist to allow additional RSDA's to form, on this
model. To a follow-up question, she deferred to the department
with purview over the collection and disbursement of the RSDA
assessments; the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development (DCCED). She clarified that ADF&G is not involved
with the program nor does it provide oversight.
6:25:15 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON said that the charter industry is being
devastated by the recent halibut regulation changes imposed by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), and asked
whether the state can take any action to mitigate this federal
mandate.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL indicated that the concern is shared, and
that the limits may be an overly restrictive measure to hold the
charter fleet to the halibut allocations. The department is
attempting to analyze whether there is a size limit which would
be more reasonable than what the federal government has
mandated; other mechanisms are being considered for proposal.
6:26:51 PM
JULIANNE CURRY, Director, Petersburg Vessel Owners Association,
expressed support for the confirmation of Commissioner Campbell,
and stated her belief that the appointee will do what is best
for the resource and not favor individual entities or divisions.
6:28:24 PM
GERALD McCUNE, Lobbyist, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA),
expressed support for the confirmation of Commissioner Campbell,
and said that she provides a breath of fresh air, arrives to
meetings prepared, and does a great job. He opined that she
will make an excellent commissioner for all Alaskans.
6:29:32 PM
KARL JOHNSTONE, Vice Chair, Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF),
expressed support for the confirmation of Commissioner Campbell,
and said she is capable of making advised policy decisions, is a
leader, and focuses appropriate attention on the issues.
Additionally, the leadership team, which she has appointed, is
excellent.
6:31:29 PM
RICK GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association, expressed support for the confirmation of
Commissioner Campbell, stating that she is smart, articulate,
and approachable. He opined that concern for her understanding
of scientific issues has been unfounded, as she has brought
herself up to speed on the research and established appropriate
priorities.
6:33:53 PM
CRAIG COMPEAU, Board Member, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
Alaska (SFW), expressed support for the confirmation of
Commissioner Campbell, and said the Sportsmen for Fish and
Wildlife (SFW) board has been impressed with her knowledge of
the issues on the game side of the department, and opined that
fisheries concerns will be addressed as appropriately. He
underscored that being a qualified appointee is not about the
thickness of the resume, but the attitude.
6:35:28 PM
KEN LARSEN, Secretary, Prince William Sound Charter Boat
Association, expressed support for the confirmation of
Commissioner Campbell, stating that there is no objection to
this appointment. However, the association would appreciate
having specific considerations addressed regarding the recent
IPHC mandate for charter caught halibut; statistics were
offered.
CHAIR THOMPSON closed public testimony.
6:38:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said that opposition prevailed, when
Commissioner Campbell was initially appointed; however, he
noted, opinions reversed once she assumed the office.
CHAIR THOMPSON concurred with Representative Johnson's
observation.
^Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)
6:40:17 PM
BENJAMIN BROWN, Appointee, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
(CFEC), Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), provided a
brief biography of being a lifelong Alaskan, and studying at
Georgetown University. He continued at university, became a
lawyer, and worked in a variety of venues including interning
with the Honorable U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, in Washington D.C.,
as well as clerking for the Honorable Judge Larry Weeks, in
Juneau. He pointed out that he does not have a vested interest
in the fishing industry, which is a requirement for sitting on
the commission.
6:44:53 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON asked what brought him to the CFEC.
COMMISSIONER BROWN said that when he learned that there would be
an opening on the commission, he conferred with Judge Weeks,
among others, regarding the requirements. He reported interest
in how the CFEC process works and opined that learning the
jurisprudence of the commission is appealing. Leaving private
practice will allow him to focus on a specific, complex, if
arcane, area of law.
^Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
6:48:13 PM
MICHAEL SMITH, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF),
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), provided a brief
history of his life growing up on the banks of the Yukon River.
He is an Alaskan Native, and participated in a number of fishery
related groups including serving on the by-catch committee, the
treaty council, and organizations that have formed to address
the Yukon Chinook salmon issues. He described a few of the
current fisheries activities he is involved in, which includes a
sampling program of the Yukon River Chinook salmon.
6:51:46 PM
RICK GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association, expressed support for the confirmation of Michael
Smith, stating that he has been involved, with the board, for a
number of years, has an understanding of the issues, and knows
the importance of aligning the stakeholders. He said Mr. Smith
is approachable, well prepared, and has a broad knowledge base
of the fisheries in Alaska, particularly salmon issues. He
predicted that management issues will be appropriately
addressed, and said that Mr. Smith will continue to bring a good
understanding of the interior to the board.
6:54:38 PM
KARL JOHNSTONE, Vice Chair, Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF),
expressed support for the confirmation of Michael Smith, and
said the BOF is a daunting task, but Mr. Smith has proven to be
approachable, arrives prepared, remains open minded, and can
make hard decisions.
6:56:29 PM
CRAIG COMPEAU, Board Member, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
Alaska (SFW), expressed support for the confirmation of Michael
Smith, and underscored that Mr. Smith is articulate,
professional, represents all of Alaska, and is a good choice for
the BOF.
6:57:47 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON reminded members that signing the reports,
regarding appointments to boards and commissions, in no way
reflects 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, Chair Thompson announced that the names of Cora
Campbell, Benjamin Brown, and Michael Smith would be forwarded
to the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation.
6:58:21 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 6:58
p.m.
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