Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
01/28/2016 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Young Fishermen's Summit | |
| Presentation: Southeast Alaska Regional Guides Organization on Regional Quota Entities/catch Proposal | |
| 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
January 28, 2016
10:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Neal Foster
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative Dan Ortiz
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Charisse Millett
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: YOUNG FISHERMEN'S SUMMIT
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL GUIDES ORGANIZATION ON
REGIONAL QUOTA ENTITIES/CATCH PROPOSAL
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
PAULA CULLENBERG, Director
Alaska Sea Grant Program
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
TORI CONNOR, Fisherman
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
AMANDA JOHNSTON, Fisherman
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
GREGG MARXMILLER, Fisherman
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
HANNAH HEIMBUCH, Fisherman
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
ELSA SEBASTIAN, Fisherman
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
ZACHARY HILL, Seiner
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
GARY CLINE, Regional Fisheries Director
Bristol Bay Economic Corporation
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
STEVE JOHNSON, Fisherman
Wrangell, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
ALEXANDER SMITH, Fisherman
Aleknagik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
SUNNY RICE
(No address provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
BILL THOMAS, Fisherman
Haines, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Young Fishermen's Summit.
TOM OHAUS, Lodge Owner
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Alaska Regional Guides Organization on Regional Quota
Entities/Catch Proposal.
RICHARD YAMADA, President
Alaska Charter Association (ACA)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Alaska Regional Guides Organization on Regional Quota
Entities/Catch Proposal.
ANDY MEZIROW, Member
North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC)
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Alaska Regional Guides Organization on Regional Quota
Entities/Catch Proposal.
RYAN MAKINSTER, Executive Director
Southeast Alaska Guides Organization (SEAGO)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Alaska Regional Guides Organization on Regional Quota
Entities/Catch Proposal.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:00:25 AM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Representatives
Stutes, Ortiz, Kreiss-Tomkins, Foster, and Herron, were present
at the call to order.
^PRESENTATION: YOUNG FISHERMEN'S SUMMIT
PRESENTATION: YOUNG FISHERMEN'S SUMMIT
10:00:55 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be
a presentation of the Young Fishermen's Summit.
10:01:38 AM
PAULA CULLENBERG, Director, Alaska Sea Grant Program, School of
Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF), said there are 33 sea grant programs throughout the
United States, each representing a partnership between the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the
universities. The mission is to strengthen coastal communities
and marine resources throughout the state. Fifteen marine
advisory agents are positioned in eight coastal communities to
assist in the effort. Ms. Cullenberg said she co-chairs the UA
Fisheries, Seafood & Maritime Initiative (FSMI), which developed
a plan to support the fishing industry workforce. The
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD) has adopted
the plan, along with the UA Board of Regents, and a number of
municipal groups around the state. It has become a guiding
document for supporting Alaska's huge maritime workforce
representing approximately 70,000 related jobs, which include:
fisherman, processors, the ferry system, freight forwarders,
fisheries biologists, researchers, shellfish farmers, and other
positions penetrating urban and rural locales. The workforce
plan has led to the formation of a new group, Maritime Works,
which is an industry group focused on workforce development.
She reported that the number of programs relating to the marine
economy have been increased on all three major campuses. The
expansions include: the Kodiak Marine Seafood Science Center,
development of a commercial fishing training program at the
Bristol Bay campus, maritime training for the ferry system in
Ketchikan, and Sitka now has one and two year programs to train
hatchery workers. She said the Young Fisherman's Summit has
convened for six consecutive years, with an aggregate
participation of approximately 300. The summit provides a three
day forum to develop professional leadership skills, and was
begun in response to the graying of the fleet. The average age
of an Alaskan fisherman is estimated to be 49 years old.
10:06:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS asked for clarity regarding the
average age trend and over what period.
MS. CULLENBERG responded that ten years ago, the average age
might have been 40, and the rate of increase is considered
significant when combined with the decline of permit holders who
are under 40. The indications are that the ability for young
people to enter the industry is a concern. Many barriers exist
for young fisherman who must purchase permits and quota shares
to gain access to the profession. Ms. Cullenberg said summit
participants will provide testimony to that end. The summit is
hosting statewide participants with backgrounds that represent a
diversity of fishing methods.
10:11:07 AM
TORI CONNOR, Fisherman, outlined the permits and quotas she
holds, which include: a Prince William Sound (PWS) permit,
Southeast hand-troll, and 500 pounds of declassified individual
fishing quota (IFQ). She expressed concern regarding a one
percent landing tax proposed for the commercial fleet and opined
that it should also include the charter fleet. In response to a
member's question, she suggested taxing the sport fisherman as
well.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS confirmed that an equitability
argument may exist: commercial fisheries pay for
enhancement/hatcheries without similar contributions from the
charter catch.
10:13:50 AM
AMANDA JOHNSTON, Fisherman, provided a brief background of her
experiences, including overseas travels, and said Alaska's
commercial fleet is extremely unique and worth preserving.
Accessibility by rural communities and the younger generation to
the fisheries is a concern. As the next generation attempts to
take over the fishing culture, there is a fear that it is being
lost and may die off. She urged committee members to become
familiar firsthand with the issues by visiting boats and fishing
camps.
10:15:33 AM
GREGG MARXMILLER, Fisherman, said he is a fisherman of 25 years
and expressed concerns for helping young people enter the
profession and the difficulties associated with the fluctuation
in fish prices. Not only do prices vary dramatically, but
limitations are imposed regarding the volume that may be sold,
which restricts a fisherman's ability to make up for low costs
by selling more fish. The fishing industry is wrought with
instability and limitations, which are a deterrent for anyone
considering entering the business. He pointed out that options
need to be considered for making fishing a more attractive
career choice. Also, scenarios, such as the foreign ownership
of the primary Bristol Bay processors could be an area for
scrutiny and change.
10:18:04 AM
HANNAH HEIMBUCH, Fisherman, stated that she is a third
generation, commercial salmon and halibut fisherman. She
paraphrased from a prepared statement, which read:
I wanted to talk to you today about options for
improving community access to local fisheries, and
what the outmigration of permits and quota really
means to coastal Alaska; because, when we talk about
fish and the fishing livelihood we're never really
just talking about fish. We're talking about the
wellbeing of our coastal communities, our ability to
be self-sustaining, [enjoy] food security both locally
and across the state, economic stability, and work
skills. We're also talking about cultural heritage
and family traditions. These are essential components
of community and state health and stability that
strong local fisheries can support. They are also
incredibly difficult to rebuild once they are lost.
As you look at options to sustain and improve
community access to fisheries, I would urge you to
consider it in light of how essential these fisheries
are to a community's well-being.
I believe you will have the opportunity to consider
very meaningful options for improving community access
to fisheries, including permit banks.
While this move may be complex and challenging, we
cannot wait another generation to change the status
quo. We have to prioritize the health and stability
of Alaska's coastal communities by protecting access
to fisheries.
More than ever, Alaska needs the stability of these
small businesses to sustain our state.
10:19:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked about shareable insights/highlights
from the summit regarding solutions to the out-migration of
permits.
MS. HEIMBUCH answered that several options are being discussed,
including permit banks and educational permits.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON noted that the out-migration of permits is
can be a question of economics. He said there may be a
conundrum that exists in holding a permit locally, and still
being able to optimize economic gains.
MS. HEIMBUCH agreed. She said it's due to this conundrum that
entering the fishing industry represents such a high cost to the
new generation of fishermen. It's not an impossible situation
to overcome; however, a structural change in the transfer of
permit ownership may need to be made.
10:21:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS pointed out that the legislature
created an investment program [Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development, Division of Economic
Development, Financing Section] as an alternate lending resource
for fishermen, particularly those entering the field. He asked
whether Ms. Heimbuch had found the [Financial Section] loans
personally helpful.
MS. HEIMBUCH answered yes. She said it is the only reason she
holds a permit. Still, she stressed, not everyone has the
opportunity to access the loans; especially rural Alaskans who
may not have the financial skills, or credit history, to take
advantage of the state program.
10:22:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked whether state loan reforms, or
qualification adjustments, are being discussed at the summit; is
there a need to consider how the program operates.
MS. HEIMBUCH responded that she is not aware of any such
discussion. It shouldn't necessarily be easy to receive a loan,
she said, but ways and means for educating the audience
regarding the process would be helpful.
10:23:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS offered that the loan program has
been very successful since its inception, and suggested that
additional options could provide helpful augmentation.
10:24:00 AM
ELSA SEBASTIAN, Fisherman, reported that, as a former resident
from the historical fishing village of Point Baker, Prince of
Wales Island, she has witnessed many potential young,
generational fishermen turn away from the industry citing the
lack of economic opportunity, financial burdens, and the
inherent risks involved. She opined that when fishing permits
are gone from a local area, it not only effects the economy, but
entire families and an important way of life are lost as well.
"I would like to encourage the committee to improve access and
opportunities for Alaskan's to Alaskan fisheries," she said.
10:25:53 AM
ZACHARY HILL, Seiner, recounted his decision to buy into the
Kodiak region fishery and the issues he encountered receiving a
loan. He was eventually able to outfit himself via a loan
through the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank
(CFAB). He expressed gratitude to the committee for its timely
action of increasing lending limit allowances, effectively
expanding the opportunities for permit purchases through CFAB.
10:27:26 AM
GARY CLINE, Regional Fisheries Director, Bristol Bay Economic
Corporation, said many of the Bristol Bay area villages have
economies that rely entirely on the fishing industry and access
to fishing permits is essential. A permit grant program has
been implemented to assist the residents, but it is a slow
process. The village of Togiak united with Copper River
Seafoods [Inc.], and created a small processor, and participants
receive premium prices for the products with good success. He
reported monitoring the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)
meetings to gain an understanding of the fisheries management
practices in the area. Due to the state budget situation, care
for optimization of sustainable harvest will be more important,
he stressed.
10:32:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked about the loss of permits in the
region and the residual resentment that exists.
MR. CLINE said many family members will not broach the topic.
He recently learned that his mother sold her permit when he was
an infant, which would be a benefit for him now. As a young
adult, he was urged to go to college and not become a fisherman;
it was a time when drift permits were being sold for $15,000.
Today the same permit may cost $180,000, as the fishery has once
again become a lucrative venture.
10:34:41 AM
STEVE JOHNSON, Fisherman, said that as a 15 year fisherman he
would like to offer solutions to a couple of problems. Being a
tender operator, he related that he would like to receive
financing through the state to expand his operation, but lending
options are not available to him. He suggested expanding the
state program to allow owners to use equity from a vessel as
collateral for expansion/improvement loans. Additionally, young
fishermen continually report an inability to afford permit
costs. Interim use permits were once issued to new fishermen
who could not purchase a full permit and he suggested revisiting
that practice. The opportunity would be valuable for a young
fisherman if it could serve as experience equity towards a full
permit loan.
10:36:54 AM
ALEXANDER SMITH, Fisherman, said the [Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development, Division of Economic
Development, Financing Section] has been helpful to him as a
Bristol Bay fisherman; however, the loan limitations of the
program are a concern.
10:37:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS noted that 21 limited permits are
owned by residents of the Aleknagik community, down from a
historic high of 72, and the Point Baker permits, mentioned by a
previous testifier, have declined from 89 to 18. He asked about
the socio-economic impacts on Aleknagik or other changes
observed since the permit declines.
MR. SMITH answered that tourism provides a seasonal economic
boost to the area due to the proximity of Aleknagik to [Wood-
Tikchik State Park], but fishing is the lifeblood. The lack of
permits cause only negative impacts and keeps the village
economically suppressed. It's a big, difficult step to acquire
a permit and a boat, he stressed.
10:39:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said a member of his family, Raymond
Conquest, resides in Aleknagik, and asked Mr. Smith to draw a
comparison of the importance of commercial fishing between the
two families.
MR. SMITH admitted to feeling lucky to be involved in the
fishing industry that sustains his family today as it did his
ancestors. The village environment is closed and requires
cooperation around the shared fishing interest, he offered.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON inquired whether the community has been
impacted by the [Wood River Bridge, completed in 2015].
MR. SMITH responded that there is excitement, even among those
who were not initially supportive of the project. Having
ambulance service has been a lifesaver, and the access it
provides to the park, despite environmental concerns, provides a
possibility for economic growth.
10:42:09 AM
SUNNY RICE expressed appreciation for the committee's interest
in hearing from the summit attendees.
10:42:35 AM
CHAIR STUTES expressed gratitude and personal delight at the
level of participation being generated through the summit.
After forty years, her husband has recently retired from the
industry and, she said, it is heartwarming to see the response
from the young fishermen bringing enthusiasm and new life to the
fleet.
10:43:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ noted the seriousness of the decline in
resident owned permits. He said in the district he represents,
Hydaburg, the 62 permits owned in 1980 have dwindled to 38, with
only one active seine permit being fished. It is incumbent upon
the legislature to be active in seeking ways and means to
reverse this trend.
10:44:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON requested comments from a former
legislative member in the gallery, Representative Bill Thomas.
10:45:15 AM
BILL THOMAS, Fisherman, said he has fished continuously since
1969. Two permits were originally in Haines, and one has been
sold, making him the last permit holder in the area; it was
gifted to him from the state. He has endeavored to have the
regional corporations, village corporations, tribal governments,
and Alaska Regional Development Organizations (ARDORs) be the
permit owners. Thus, fishermen could lease the permits and have
easier accessibility to the industry. The Alaskan definition of
a successful fisherman is one who lives in Seattle or
Bellingham, Washington, he joked. The exodus of permits has
been ongoing, and today perhaps 70 percent of the Southeast
seine permits belong to non-residents, as well as 75-80 percent
from Bristol Bay. Many fishermen end up in trouble due to the
inherent fluctuating nature of dependable income, or tax issues.
The reason he still fishes at the age of 69, is due to improved
fishing methods that allow him to continue to successfully
participate, including: radar, hydraulic lift systems, auto
pilots, and higher speed boats. The permits have left the
state, and the individual fish quotas will follow, he predicted,
as they are currently priced at $53.00 per pound. He said
taxing the sport harvest would be helpful, as previously
mentioned. The caveat should be that, if you own a permit, you
need to reside in Alaska, he opined.
10:49:51 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 10:50 a.m. to 10:57 a.m.
^PRESENTATION: SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL GUIDES ORGANIZATION ON
REGIONAL QUOTA ENTITIES/CATCH PROPOSAL
PRESENTATION: SOUTHEAST ALASKA REGIONAL GUIDES ORGANIZATION ON
REGIONAL QUOTA ENTITIES/CATCH PROPOSAL
10:57:10 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the final order of business would be
a presentation by the Southeast Alaska Regional Guides
Organization on Regional Quota Entities/Catch proposal.
10:59:06 AM
TOM OHAUS, Lodge Owner, said the halibut harvest is overseen by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) as a
federally managed fish; discrimination for state residency is
not a regulatory factor. The topic for consideration, he
pointed out, is the guided, sport, charter harvest, not the
commercial catch nor the non-guided sport catch. He then
provided a brief history of the last 20 years of the harvest.
The highlights included: 1996/97 the Southeast and Southcentral
catch became a concern; 2008 NPFMC passed the catch sharing plan
allowing a percentage of the exploitable yield to be taken by
guided charter anglers and grouping them with the individual
fishing quota (IFQ) [commercial] harvesters; 2008 halibut stocks
were identified to be on a downward trend, and charter guides
self-determined their share to be under allocated; 2008-2010
guided catch limits underwent a series of adjustments and
Southeast limits changed from the previous two halibut of any
size to only one less than 37 inches long; Southeast guides join
together to formulate a workable plan and propose a joint owned
IFQ.
11:03:22 AM
CHAIR STUTES surmised that IFQs would be included in a pool
versus an individual's name, and asked about the mechanics of
the plan.
MR. OHAUS responded that the IFQ represents the pounds of fish
allocated for harvest. The IFQ would be in the name of the
recreational quota entity (RQE).
CHAIR STUTES questioned the ability to roll individual quotas
into a pool.
MR. OHAUS stated that the mechanism already exists in other
programs, and the proposal represents an expansion.
11:05:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ queried whether the pool would be managed
statewide.
MR. OHAUS responded that every IFQ relates to a specific fishing
region. The intention is to create one board that would govern
two halibut quota pools; one for Southcentral and one for
Southeast.
11:06:30 AM
CHAIR STUTES questioned whether the plan establishes a cap for
the number of pounds that could be purchased by the proposed
entity.
MR. OHAUS answered yes, and deferred for further details.
11:07:42 AM
RICHARD YAMADA, President, Alaska Charter Association (ACA),
underscored that fish allocation conflicts exist between the
commercial and charter fleet sectors. The statewide Alaska
Charter Association and Southeast Alaska Guides Organization
(SEAGO) united efforts to write a joint grant through the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to create a
mechanism that allows inter-sector transfer on a market based
approach. He directed attention to the committee packet and the
15 page Executive Summary reprint of the 132 page whitepaper,
titled, "Integrating a recreational fishery into a catch share
program: Case study of Alaska's guided halibut sport fishery,
CATCH, Catch Accountability Through Compensated Halibut," dated
January 2014, with author credits to Richard Yamada and Sherry
Flumerfelt. The paper provides the results from two years of
research, he said, which he personally conducted. The mechanism
proposed, a Recreational Quota Entity (RQE), would be developed
as a state owned, non-profit organization, composed of a board,
boat charter operators and other seats to be designated. The
RQE would purchase IFQ's from any willing sellers, at market
prices, and hold the quota for the good of all guided
recreational anglers. The expectation is that the RQE would
receive an annual allocation by which the NPFMC would set bag
limits, in addition to the regulatory allocation. Based on
these combined allocations, he said, the charter fishermen will
be relieved of the severe restrictions currently in place.
11:10:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked how new participants would be able to
benefit from the pool once it's ongoing.
MR. YAMADA pointed out that the pool would be restricted to
guided charter anglers, and said the IFQ is based on abundance
of stock, which will be distributed among the active guides as
they access the quota held in trust without individual
ownership.
11:12:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS clarified that charter guides
currently operate under a limited entry permit, and through
acquisition of a permit a new guide would gain access to the
pool.
MR. YAMADA concurred.
11:12:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked what would be the origin of the
resources to purchase the IFQs for establishing the RQE.
MR. YAMADA responded that a $10.00 halibut stamp is being
proposed, which over time would provide the funds to purchase
the quotas.
11:13:44 AM
CHAIR STUTES asked whether parameters and quota management
guidelines exist to ensure that anglers aren't exceeding limits
in-season.
MR. YAMADA answered that in-season management programs are not
part of the proposal. Currently, regulators use estimates based
on angler numbers and season effort, along with the size of fish
landed, to project guidelines for the following season. The
confidence level is plus or minus 10 percent, and significant
overages, as have occurred in the past, are not anticipated.
CHAIR STUTES queried what would happen if a serious overage did
occur; would it be taken off the next years allocation.
MR. YAMADA said a subsequent year reduction has been proposed,
as well as a rollover, but the council will make the policy
decision.
11:16:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked about the health of the halibut
resource in Southeast regardless of the impact of the quotas.
MR. YAMADA said the International Pacific Halibut Commission
(IPHC) has reported it to be stabilized from the decline of the
last few years; perhaps on an uptick.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON pointed out that the smaller size catch is
better for eating; however, there continues to be interest in
pursuing the largest halibut possible. He asked whether anglers
understand that taking the monster fish could be harmful to the
resource.
MR. YAMADA explained that there is a term, fisheries induced
evolution, which is based on the assumption that the largest
fish are fertile females and that there is an effect on the
population if they are fished out. However, it's not
necessarily correct, he opined, nor are large females as fertile
as the younger, smaller ones, measuring 30-32 inches. The
larger fish will have contributed to the gene pool and be on the
short end of its life span when taken.
11:21:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ added that it's important to consider the
significant, halibut by-catch issue, which is a major
contributing factor to the health of the fishery.
11:22:39 AM
ANDY MEZIROW, Member, North Pacific Management Council, referred
to the previously cited white paper to explain how the council
works with these type of community generated reports. The
council generated document is being analyzed and will be
reviewed prior to submission to the committee. Addressing the
purpose of need, he paraphrased from a written statement, which
read [original punctuation provided]:
Alaska's guided halibut anglers have seen recent
increases in regulatory restrictions due to declining
halibut stocks and guided recreational allocations. A
market-based mechanism for the guided halibut
recreational sector may be an effective means to
supplement their annual allocations. Allowing an RQE
(Recreational Quota Entity) to hold a limited amount
of commercial halibut [quotas] on behalf of guided
recreational halibut anglers under a "willing seller
and willing buyer" approach may result in less
restrictive annual harvest measures for guided
recreational anglers in times of low halibut
abundance, while complying with total halibut removals
under the guided halibut catch limits determined by
the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The
guided recreational halibut allocation under the
Halibut Catch Sharing Plan would be combined with the
halibut quota share held by the RQE to determine the
annually adjusted total guided halibut allocation.
The total allocation would be the basis for the
determination of appropriate management measures for
the guided halibut sector each year. The intent is to
consider such a mechanism without undermining the
goals of the halibut IFQ Program or significant
adverse impacts to other halibut sectors.
11:30:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked about the internal vetting and peer
review process to which the document was subjected.
MR. MEZIROW explained:
There is one agency analyst that is assigned to this
project. The agency analyst builds the document, and
then it's reviewed by the person that's responsible
for all of the halibut issues that come before the
council, ... then once again reviewed after that by
his supervisor, which is the chairman of the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC).
11:31:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS confirmed that the white paper,
being proposed is contingent on council action/deliberation over
the next year.
11:32:14 AM
MR. MEZIROW described the reporting process that is proposed and
conjectured on how the council might intervene depending on
market prices. He presented a number of scenarios to provide an
illustration for fluctuating prices and council control options.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS asked whether the council has
reviewed the community generated document CATCH.
MR. MEZIROW answered yes, and said it is informative, however
dated to 2014. The council is taking the core ideals of the
document to incorporate into its own report.
11:35:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked to hear further about the health of
the resource.
MR. MEZIROW described the steady recovery of the stocks in
Southeast, and said the Western stocks are more tenuous.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked what is attributed to the population
declines in the halibut fishery.
MR. MEZIROW offered that there have been a variety of
circumstances. The harvest rates were set artificially high,
through the directed fishery, for a period of time ten years
ago. The calculations for the model in use, at the time,
resulted in generous catch privileges being given to the private
sector. A major area of concern has been the Gulf of Alaska
trawl fleet by-catch, where observer coverage is important.
Observers are currently aboard 25 percent of the fleet, up from
13 percent, and the goal is to have 100 percent coverage with
the expectation to see a significant lowering of by-catch
levels.
11:38:35 AM
RYAN MAKINSTER, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Guides
Organization (SEAGO), said that the whitepaper will be reviewed,
and sideboards imposed by the council, and then it can come back
to the legislature for action. He predicted a need for
statutory review and fiscal scrutiny. As previously mentioned,
a halibut stamp could be implemented for purchasing IFQs, and
management costs to ADF&G would need to be considered.
11:40:46 AM
CHAIR STUTES thanked the participants and announced the
committee's next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 11:40
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| FINAL CATCH Report Executive Summary.pdf |
HFSH 1/28/2016 10:00:00 AM |
SEAGO Presentation in Regional Quota Entities - Exec. Summary |
| FINAL CATCH Report January 14 2014sm.pdf |
HFSH 1/28/2016 10:00:00 AM |
SEAGO Presentation in Regional Quota Entities - Full Report |