Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
04/04/2013 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB98 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| Board of Fisheries | |
| HB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 4, 2013
10:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Lynn Gattis
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Kurt Olson
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 98
"An Act relating to escapement thresholds and escapement goals
for certain salmon stocks."
- HEARD & HELD
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Fisheries
Tom Kluberton - Talkeetna
Claude Vincent Webster - King Salmon
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 98
SHORT TITLE: SALMON ESCAPEMENT GOALS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) NEUMAN
02/01/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/13 (H) FSH, RES
04/04/13 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 98, as sponsor.
BRUCE KNOWLES, Chairman
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission
Willow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 98.
TOM KLUBERTON, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as appointee to the Alaska Board of
Fisheries (BOF).
GERALD MCCUNE, Lobbyist
Cordova District Fishermen United (CDFU)
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton to the BOF.
JOHN MCCOMBS
Ninilchik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with opposition for HB 98, and
with cautious approval of the appointment of Tom Kluberton and
Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
WES HUMBYRD
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
FRITZ JOHNSON
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
PAUL SHADURA, President
Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
MEGAN SMITH
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
DR. ROLAND MAW
Kasilof, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
CLAUDE VINCENT WEBSTER, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF)
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as appointee to the Alaska Board of
Fisheries (BOF).
NORMAN VAN VACTOR, President
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC)
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
H. ROBIN SAMUELSEN JR., Member
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC)
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
GERALD MCCUNE, Lobbyist
Cordova District Fishermen United (CDFU)
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with support for the appointment
of Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:05:19 AM
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Present at the call to
order Representatives Seaton, Kreiss-Tomkins, Herron, Johnson,
and Feige; Representatives Gattis and Olson arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 98-SALMON ESCAPEMENT GOALS
10:05:57 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 98, "An Act relating to escapement thresholds and
escapement goals for certain salmon stocks."
10:07:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN, Alaska State Legislature, said HB 98 is
to address the lack of salmon returns throughout Alaskan waters.
Every region has issues and the bill directs the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to prioritize stocks of
concern. Further, it directs the Board of Fisheries (BOF) to
adopt in regulation specific management objectives for each
identified stock of concern. The department, in consultation
with the BOF, would set the management objective for that stock.
HB 98 stipulates that the objective must include a sustained
escapement threshold (SET) and an optimal escapement goal (OEG).
An escapement bar would be set for specific areas as well as a
sustainable escapement threshold.
10:14:09 AM
BRUCE KNOWLES, Chairman, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and
Wildlife Commission, stated support for HB 98 and reported that
currently there are 11 stocks of concern, and the possibility of
six more becoming eligible in 2013 according to ADF&G.
Particular management is needed to ensure a higher escapement
goal to protect these stocks. The current escapement goals do
not meet the needs of the mixed stock returns in many areas, he
opined, as not enough adults of certain species are able to
return to the spawning ground sanctuaries. He pointed out that
an SET has yet to be established on any stream in Alaska, but it
is the point at which salmon will cease to populate an area. He
stressed the need for the department to have this managerial
tool as an option.
10:16:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN said concerns have been expressed for the
optimal escapement goals because of the allocative factors;
however, the allocation will be handled by the BOF.
CHAIR SEATON announced that HB 98 would be held.
[The committee heard comments on HB 98 later in the meeting.]
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
^Board of Fisheries
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Fisheries
[Contains discussion of HB 98]
10:17:15 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the committee would now turn its
attention to the confirmation hearings for the appointments to
the Board of Fisheries.
10:17:33 AM
TOM KLUBERTON, Appointee, Board of Fisheries (BOF), said
introduction to the BOF process began for him as a member of the
Mat-Su Borough Assembly working to reinstate the Mayor's Blue
Ribbon Sportsman Committee. As the de facto chairman, he lead
the committee through the board process to have the Susitna and
Yentna River sockeye salmon listed as a stock of yield concern;
2008. Following that experience he followed a number of
requests to accept a nomination to the BOF. The term he has
served is currently coming to a close and, he said, serving for
a second cycle should prove to be more productive; building on
the educational experience of the first term. Finally, he said
he has received many inquiries and substantial support to
continue service.
10:20:52 AM
GERALD MCCUNE, Lobbyist, Cordova District Fishermen United
(CDFU), stated support for Tom Kluberton's appointment, and
cited the letter of support contained in the committee packet
from CDFU.
10:21:47 AM
JOHN MCCOMBS voiced opposition to HB 98, and stated cautious
approval for the appointments of Tom Kluberton and Claude
Vincent Webster to the BOF. He opined that the plans the
appointees have configured to restrict the drift net fleet will
harm the fishery and the local economy. He indicated that the
state has funded the promotion of quality Alaskan salmon
products and restricting the fishery is a "cruel hoax."
Further, he reported that Ninilchik has not had a representative
from the area on the BOF for 30 years and neither of these
appointments will rectify the void. The Cook Inlet and Bristol
Bay fisheries are both unique to each other. The 2014 board
cycle will be addressing concerns from the Ninilchik area and he
suggested the meeting be held in Soldotna.
10:23:29 AM
WES HUMBYRD stated support for the retention of Claude Vincent
Webster on the BOF. He opined that the appointee basis his
comments and decisions on scientific data, not political
interests.
10:25:08 AM
FRITZ JOHNSON expressed support for the appointment of Tom
Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the BOF. As a long-time
commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay and a frequent participant
at BOF proceedings, he said it's important that Bristol Bay have
an effective voice in board deliberations. He finished,
paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read [original
punctuation provided]:
I haven't always agreed with Mr. Webster's positions
on Bristol Bay issues, but I do have confidence in his
understanding of the Board's statewide mandate to
manage commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries for
sustainability, and his ability to provide a broad
understanding of Bristol Bay issues to the Board and
public.
10:26:20 AM
PAUL SHADURA, President, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association
(KPFA), stated support for both appointees, paraphrasing from a
prepared statement, which read [original punctuation provided]:
Our organization has been representing commercial
fishermen within the waters of Cook Inlet since 1954.
At present, our members represent primarily commercial
setnet fisher families; although we also have members,
who represent the processing industry, drift
fisheries, supplies and the general public.
The KPFA Board of Directors voted unanimously on March
29, 2013 to support Governor Parnell's nominees for
vacancies on the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
We have worked with Vince Webster, Tom Kluberton and
Reed Morisky and find that all three are approachable,
respectful and concerned about the sustainability of
our State's fisheries resources, this objective
happens to be KPFA's mission statement, "Ensuring the
Sustainability of Our Fishery Resources".
Individually they expend the extra effort; to listen
to stakeholders; to understand complex science; to
strive for a "balance" of opportunities for
traditional harvesters. A feat that requires not only
a concern for conservation, but also to maintain an
abundant yield of fisheries stocks so that all
citizens can appreciate our State's resources.
10:28:23 AM
MEGAN SMITH expressed support for the appointment of Tom
Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster, and said she has seen both
gentlemen in action and found them to be personable, concerned,
and approachable. Additionally, they appear to be devoted to
the public process, resistant to special interest group
pressures, and dedicated to the conservation of the resources.
As a new face at recent board meetings, she said equal
consideration was given to her opinion by these board members.
10:29:57 AM
DR. ROLAND MAW stated support for both appointees to the BOF.
10:30:56 AM
CLAUDE VINCENT WEBSTER, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries
(BOF), recounted his active interest in the fishing community
where he has served on the local advisory committee for 15
years. He said he has been approached by a number of interest
groups requesting that he accept the nomination to continue on
the board.
10:31:57 AM
NORMAN VAN VACTOR, President, Bristol Bay Economic Development
Corporation (BBEDC), stated support for the appointment of Tom
Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster, and said it is not
possible to please everyone with every decision. He cited that
Mr. Webster comes from a region that represents perhaps the
largest and most diverse fishery in Alaska, and opined that at
board meetings he is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and a good
listener.
10:32:51 AM
H. ROBIN SAMUELSEN JR., Member, Bristol Bay Economic Development
Corporation (BBEDC), expressed support for both candidates and
elaborated that Mr. Webster is now a seasoned board member, and
said his talents are clearly evident through the fairness he has
demonstrated for the diverse fisheries, as well as concern for
the resources. He said:
I don't agree with my wife always, and I don't agree
with Vince always, but he's fair to the fishermen
whether you're a sport, subsistence, or commercial
[user].
10:34:06 AM
GERALD MCCUNE, Lobbyist, Cordova District Fishermen United,
stated support for Claude Vincent Webster and said he brings
valuable experience to the board.
10:34:27 AM
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association, stated opposition to the re-appointment of Claude
Vincent Webster to the BOF, due to certain process issues that
have occurred during his tenure, and said the chairman would be
receiving written opposition for inclusion in the committee
packet.
10:34:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON made a motion to advance the confirmations
of Tom Kluberton and Claude Vincent Webster to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries, to the joint session for consideration. There
being no objection, the confirmations were advanced.
CHAIR SEATON reminded members that signing the report regarding
appointments to the boards and commissions in no way reflect
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees,
and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
10:35:28 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:35
a.m.