Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
02/21/2023 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
February 21, 2023
10:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sarah Vance, Chair
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative CJ McCormick
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Mike Cronk
Representative Dan Ortiz
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA BYCATCH REVIEW TASK FORCE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
LINDA KOZAK, Member
Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
presentation via PowerPoint.
BRIAN GABRIEL, Member
Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the Alaska
Bycatch Review Task Force presentation.
KEVIN DELANEY, Member
Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the Alaska
Bycatch Review Task Force presentation.
ERIK VELSKO, Member
Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the Alaska
Bycatch Review Task Force presentation.
STEPHANIE MADSEN, Member
Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the Alaska
Bycatch Review Task Force presentation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:00:30 AM
CHAIR SARAH VANCE called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Representatives
Carpenter, Stutes and Johnson were present at the call to order.
Representatives McCabe and Himschoot arrived as the meeting was
in progress. Also present were Representatives Ortiz and Cronk.
^PRESENTATION(S): Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
PRESENTATION(S): Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force
CHAIR VANCE announced that the only order of business would be
the Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force presentation.
10:02:28 AM
LINDA KOZAK, Member, Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force Member,
before beginning the Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force (ABRT)
presentation via PowerPoint [hard copy included in the committee
packet], suggested the other members of the task force introduce
themselves.
10:04:46 AM
BRIAN GABRIEL, Member, Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force,
introduced himself and shared his background.
10:06:02 AM
KEVIN DELANEY, Member, Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force,
introduced himself and provided his background.
10:07:36 AM
ERIK VELSKO, Member, Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force,
introduced himself and shared his background.
10:08:31 AM
STEPHANIE MADSEN, Member, Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force,
introduced herself and shared her background.
10:08:53 AM
MS. KOZAK began the PowerPoint presentation. She drew attention
to information on slide 2, which read as follows:
Governor Dunleavy created the 17-member Alaska Bycatch
Review Task Force (ABRT) to help better understand
unintended bycatch of high-value fishery resources in
state and federal waters
Bycatch is defined as: Fish which are harvested in a
fishery, but are not sold or kept
MS. KOZAK noted the link to the full report, as shown at the
bottom of slide 2. She moved on to slide 3, which lists the
four objectives given the taskforce by Governor Mike Dunleavy:
• Study what impacts bycatch has on fisheries.
• Evaluate and recommend policies informed by a better
understanding of the issue of bycatch of high-value
Alaska fishery resources.
• Ensure state agencies are leveraging available
resources to better understand the issue of bycatch.
• Utilize the best available science to inform policy
makers and the public about these issues.
MS. KOZAK covered the taskforce process, as shown on slide 4,
which read as follows:
club ABRT members agreed to operate on a consensus-based
process.
club Focused on the high-value species of salmon, halibut
and crab. Regions addressed were the Gulf of Alaska
and Bering Sea. ABRT did not address Southeast or
Aleutian Islands.
club Four committees were formed and prepared
recommendations which were submitted to the full Task
Force for review in August, 2022.
club Recommendations were made on three categories; State
Engagement, Research and Management. All
recommendations were unanimously approved, with the
exception of one management proposal.
club Final report (43 pages) was submitted to Governor
Dunleavy on November 30, 2022.
10:12:22 AM
MS. KOZAK, moving to slides 5-6, listed the following four
committees of the taskforce: Science, Technology and
Innovation; Western Alaska Salmon; Gulf of Alaska Halibut and
Salmon; and Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska Crab. As shown on
slide 7, she relayed that the taskforce met 45 times in 2022.
Relating to slide 8, she said the taskforce heard 30
presentations, and a partial list of presenters is shown on the
slide. She showed a breakdown of the presentations, as shown on
slides 9-12.
10:15:49 AM
MS. KOZAK named the three categories shown on slide 13: state
engagement, research, and management. Details on state
engagement are shown on slides 14-16, including:
Information and Communication
Establish a process for providing bycatch-related
information and resources to Alaskans in a format that
is understandable and easily accessible.
Continue to offer the public an opportunity to provide
input on North Pacific Council issues before each
meeting. Consideration should be given to additional
methods to seek input from stakeholders, tribal
entities and communities on bycatch issues.
10:20:26 AM
MS. KOZAK covered the details regarding research, which begin on
slide 17, as follows:
[slide 17]
General Recommendations for Process in Developing
Research Priorities
The Task Force recommends the state develop an
inclusive process for identifying bycatch research,
broadly share those research needs and seek
partnerships to fund the necessary research.
logicalnot Develop State bycatch research priorities, utilizing
input from communities, Alaska Native tribes,
industry, and the public, to share with funding
entities that would help identify and acquire research
funds.
logicalnot Implement strategies to encourage and facilitate
industry/agency cooperative research to reduce bycatch
and associated mortality.
logicalnot Create methods for collaboration with Alaska Native
tribes, organizations and other research entities to
better track proposed or funded bycatch research,
along with developing opportunities for cooperative
projects and combined reporting of findings.
MS. KOZAK covered the information on slide 18, which lists:
gear modifications/improved technology; update discard mortality
rates; and shifting distribution patterns.
10:25:03 AM
MS. KOZAK discussed the research recommendations on slide 19,
which also shows a graph: Improve our ability to determine the
stock of origin of chum and Chinook salmon taken as bycatch; and
Reduce bycatch through Improved understanding of distribution
and migration patterns of Alaska chum and Chinook salmon stocks.
Slide 20, regarding research recommendations read:
Research that helps us understand the relative
importance of particular mechanisms for driving
abundance of Western Alaska Chinook and chum
logicalnot Marine migration patterns relative to groundfish
fisheries.
logicalnot Improved stock-specific information.
logicalnot Improved understanding of fishery impacts.
MS. KOZAK showed slide 21, which read:
Research on additional non-adult abundance estimates
logicalnot Critical survival periods for Western Alaska salmon.
logicalnot Understand how ocean/climate conditions impact
future runs.
logicalnot Role of diet, health, and disease on survival and
spawning success.
MS. KOZAK showed slide 22, which read:
Note: Much of the salmon research recommendations
apply to both the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.
Gulf of Alaska specific salmon research
recommendation:
logicalnot Conduct annual genetic and spatial assessment of
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Chinook salmon.
MS. KOZAK moved to slide 23, regarding the recommendation for
Gulf of Alaska halibut, and gave the following information:
Top Priority
Investigate better ways to estimate total halibut
removals and discard mortality
logicalnot Impacts of repeated capture/discarding of females,
sublegal and legal males.
logicalnot Impacts of fishing gear on habitat.
logicalnot Increase tagging to better understand movement
between management areas.
logicalnot Investigate halibut diet and growth rate; changes in
length at age.
logicalnot Studies on commercial fishery size limit and trade-
offs.
logicalnot Determine relative fecundity of halibut based on
size and age.
10:27:40 AM
MS. KOZAK discussed the research recommendations for crab, shown
on slides 24-25, as follows:
[slide 24]
Address observed and unobserved mortality caused by
gear interactions
logicalnot Impacts of repeated capture/discarding.
logicalnot Address data gaps regarding uncertainties in the
directed crab fisheries and unobserved state pot cod
fishery.
logicalnot Research habitat disturbance utilizing tools such as
the fishing effects model.
[slide 25]
Continued research on critical crab habitat to better
inform on open and closed commercial fishing areas
logicalnot Tagging studies and other research to determine
seasonal movement and distribution.
logicalnot Improve understanding of preferred habitat at
various life stages.
logicalnot Examine Vessel Monitoring System use in developing
essential fish habitat models.
MS. KOZAK moved on to slides 26-27, covering management
recommendations, which read:
[slide 26]
Management recommendations were developed at the
committee level after many meetings, dozens of
informational presentations and public comment. The
ABRT had additional discussion, made some revisions
and came to consensus on all but one issue.
The ABRT considered and adopted 17 management
recommendations by unanimous consent for fixed
(longline and pot) and trawl gear for the Bering Sea
and Gulf of Alaska.
[slide 27]
The following recommendation applies to all species,
gear groups and regions
Bycatch Utilization
The State of Alaska should support taking incremental
measures through the regulatory process to improve
bycatch utilization with a particular focus on species
that are otherwise marketable, but are caught with
non-targeted gear or discards in a directed fishery
that are required by regulation.
10:30:29 AM
MS. KOZAK brought attention to information on slides 28-30,
management recommendations for the Bering Sea, which read:
[slide 28]
Bering Sea Fixed Gear (longline and pot)
logicalnot Evaluate the observer coverage and monitoring for
the directed crab and pot cod fisheries.
logicalnot Evaluate possible seasonal closures in hot spot
areas for pot gear both inside and outside of state
managed waters.
logicalnot Examine the impact of retaining all legal crab in
the directed crab fishery and counting toward IFQ.
logicalnot Recommend a rationalization program for the 60' and
greater pot cod vessels as a way to manage bycatch and
examine prohibited species caps as part of a
rationalization program.
[slide 29]
Bering Sea Trawl Gear
logicalnot Work to achieve real time genetic reporting that
provides the composition of Western Alaska salmon in
the bycatch. This can then be used in management of
the pollock fishery to avoid areas and times when
Western Alaska salmon are on the grounds in the Bering
Sea.
logicalnot The State should work to establish a scientific-
based chum salmon cap to reduce bycatch of Western
Alaska salmon in the pollock fishery in the Bering
Sea.
[slide 30]
Bering Sea Trawl Gear
logicalnot Review effectiveness of fixed open and closed areas
for trawling and continue to examine methods to
develop flexible spatial management.
logicalnot A review is recommended for the Bering Sea trawl
prohibited species caps (PSC) in relation to crab, to
be supported by the State of Alaska. This review would
examine the impacts to the resource and trawl sector
if trawl crab PSC were to be applied across the entire
Bering Sea, instead of only the current sub-areas.
MS. KOZAK covered the information from slides 31-34, regarding
management recommendation for the Gulf of Alaska, which read:
[slide 31]
Gulf of Alaska Fixed Gear (longline and pot)
logicalnot Following gear modification research, consider
regulations for the directed crab fishery and pot cod
fishery to reduce incidental take and discard
mortality.
logicalnot Address the lack of monitoring in the directed
Tanner crab and state waters pot cod fisheries.
[slide 32]
Gulf of Alaska Trawl Gear
logicalnot Recommend the State of Alaska initiate review of the
open and closed areas in the Gulf of Alaska for
pelagic and non-pelagic trawl gear and consider
closing new/additional areas to reduce the bycatch of
halibut, salmon and Tanner crab.
logicalnot To better quantify removal of prohibited species, it
is recommended that trawl catcher vessels in the Gulf
of Alaska be required to have 100% observer coverage
when engaged in non-pelagic trawling. It is further
recommended that the State of Alaska work to obtain
funding, either through specific appropriations and/or
grants for the additional coverage.
10:32:37 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Stutes, said the
proposal she had been speaking to was specific to trawl gear and
a lack of monitoring. She noted that the tanner crab fishery in
the Gulf of Alaska does not have observer coverage in the
Bering Sea it does.
10:34:18 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Chair Vance, talked about the history
of observer coverage percentages.
10:36:38 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Ortiz, described 100
percent observance versus "200 percent," which she explained
just means there are two observers, day and night. To Chair
Vance, she said she could not give more exact details.
10:38:37 AM
MS. MADSEN, in response to a question from Representative
McCabe, said federal law requires two observers on board, and
that does not include the captain. She said 100 percent
observer coverage usually applies to "catcher vessels" where
there is also an observer on shore in the plant. Regarding 30
percent coverage, she shared that "all catch is calculated by
those vessels that have coverage." In response to a question
about mortality rate, she said, "Trawl is usually 100 percent
mortality."
MS. KOZAK noted the different mortality rates for crab depending
on fishing method.
10:42:12 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Ortiz, provided the
background for current research. She stated that halibut funding
is on-going. To a follow-up question, she said funding is both
at the federal and state level.
10:43:43 AM
MS. KOZAK returned to the PowerPoint, to the information on
slide 33, which read:
Gulf of Alaska Trawl Gear
logicalnot It is recommended that a regulatory requirement be
approved for the Gulf of Alaska pelagic trawl fleet,
including any tenders of pelagic trawl caught fish, to
have 100% electronic monitoring. It is further
recommended that the State of Alaska work with
National Marine Fisheries Service, our federal
delegation, and others to work to acquire funding to
install electronic monitoring equipment on all GOA
catchers and tenders.
logicalnot It is recommended the State of Alaska propose that
the NPFMC consider development of an abundance-based
management program for halibut bycatch in the GOA as a
way to address bycatch during fluctuations of halibut
biomass. 3
10:45:42 AM
MS. KOZAK, to a question from Representative McCabe about
halibut "high grading," deferred to Brian Gabriel.
10:46:38 AM
MR. GABRIEL discussed mortality, size limit, and the
International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC's)
consideration of eliminating "the U32 requirement."
10:48:04 AM
MS. KOZAK noted that IPHC determined that at this point in time
it would not remove the under 32-inch requirement. In response
to a follow-up question from Representative McCabe about making
the price per pound the same for all sizes of halibut to avoid
high grading, indicated that this issue is not as big a problem
as it once was. She said the mortality rate for handling
halibut is "not that high."
10:50:22 AM
MR. VELSKO confirmed the problem may have been greater in the
past but is not significant now, with a 50-60 cents difference
between smaller and larger fish.
10:52:28 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Chair Vance, spoke about the process
of reviewing abundance space management.
10:54:03 AM
MR. GABRIEL, referring back to a question previously asked by
Representative Ortiz, spoke about lost gear in halibut fisheries
and regulations for halibut trolling.
MS. KOZAK returned to the PowerPoint, to slide 34, which read:
Gulf of Alaska Trawl Gear
logicalnot It is recommended that the State of Alaska
investigate the value of requiring full retention of
Tanner crab in all GOA trawl fisheries for a period of
time to adequately assess removals.
logicalnot As a means of reducing and managing bycatch and
associated mortality of high value species within the
Gulf of Alaska, it is recommended that
rationalization-type management tools be considered.
MS. KOZAK, in response to Chair Vance, offered details related
to the term "rationalization-type management."
10:57:37 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Cronk, said trolling is
done on the East and West Coasts of the United States, but said
she cannot speak as to the Hawaiian or Caribbean Islands. In
response to Representative McCabe, she talked about the
individual fishing quota (IFQ). She then acknowledged the
expertise of the members of the taskforce.
11:01:04 AM
MS. KOZAK returned to the PowerPoint, to slide 35, to describe
research and management relationships.
11:02:44 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Himschoot, offered her
understanding that while the chum and chinook salmon crisis
occurring in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region was a catalyst for the
governor's administrative order, he expanded the scope. To a
follow-up question, she deferred to Ms. Madsen for response.
MS. MADSEN talked about a salmon by-catch committee and upcoming
report in April. She mentioned 67 percent by-catch being Asian
in origin, which makes it difficult to develop mitigation
measures for Western Alaska.
11:05:28 AM
MS. KOZAK added that the Board of Fisheries currently is working
on Area M salmon proposals. She said 3.8 billion chum salmon
are released annually. She echoed Ms. Madsen's comment about
the tremendous amount of Asian fish annually. In response to a
comment by Representative McCabe about determining the genetics
of fish, she deferred to Ms. Madsen.
MS. MADSEN said cannot respond to that question.
11:08:28 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Ortiz, said ABRT's
recommendations went to the governor. Recommendations on how
bycatch research is done are reviewed by the Alaska Department
of Fish & Game, she indicated.
CHAIR VANCE stated the purpose of the taskforce presentation is
to determine the legislature's next steps regarding research,
jurisdiction, and management [of the state's fisheries].
11:11:55 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative Ortiz, talked about the
appointment of taskforce members. She noted that the State of
Alaska has a seat on the North Pacific Council.
11:13:16 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to remarks from Representative Cronk
about the disappearance of salmon from the Yukon River, said she
is not familiar with Western Alaska. In response to comments
from Representative McCabe regarding the crucial need for fish
to keep some cultures alive, she said it was a big job to study
fisheries in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. She agreed
there may be a need for targeted taskforce advisory groups. She
said ABRT made a recommendation for a permanent advisory body,
but as yet no final decisions have been made on development of
that.
11:17:37 AM
MR. VELSKO replied to previous questions from Representative
McCabe regarding Canadian management of bycatch and observer
coverage.
11:22:41 AM
MS. MADSEN noted that vessel catch information is on the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) website.
11:23:41 AM
MR. VELSKO, in response to a question from Representative C.
Johnson, said he does not know what percentage of catch falls
under the category of "zero observer."
11:25:40 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to a question from Representative
Carpenter about whether consideration had been made as to the
relation of the technology used by the fisheries to bycatch,
said it had been, indirectly; one of the recommendations from
the taskforce was improvement of technology and for the fixed
gear fleet to put some modifications of technology into
regulation. In response to a follow-up question, she explained
that the taskforce had just 9.5 months to do its work, thus
limited its discussion topics.
11:31:24 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Chair Vance, offered some history
regarding the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act.
11:34:23 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to Representative McCabe's expressing
frustration that too many entities manage Alaska's fisheries,
pointed out that within three miles [of Alaska's coastline], the
state manages its fisheries; outside of that the federal
government manages the fisheries, and that process is
"convoluted." In response to a follow-up question, she said
allowed catch in halibut sport fishing specifically the
biological management of the halibut - is regulated by the
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).
11:37:51 AM
MS. MADSEN, in response to questions asked by Chair Vance on
behalf of the public, explained the concept of throwing back
bycatch. Prohibited species must be thrown back; they cannot be
sent to foodbanks; in general, they are those that have "high
value." There is by-catch that can be kept, but only up to a
certain level. She clarified that salmon is allowed to be given
to foodbanks, as is halibut. She noted that SeaShare manages
the fish to foodbank operations out of Bainbridge, Washington,
but with locations in many parts of Alaska.
MS. KOZAK noted that the taskforce had heard a presentation
given by SeaShare.
MS. MADSEN continued sharing information about bycatch. She
said she is not aware of anything that was changed by the
aforementioned Act as relates to the way bycatch is managed. In
response to a previous question from Representative Carpenter,
she spoke about the number of great climate scientists in the
North Pacific Region.
11:45:07 AM
MS. KOZAK, in response to a question from Representative
Carpenter as to whether a gillnetter must follow the same rules
regarding bycatch as does a trawler, answered yes. In response
to follow-up clarification that Representative Carpenter sought
to know whether the risk is the same, she said that is not
something the taskforce addressed.
CHAIR VANCE thanked the presenters and speakers for their work
on the taskforce.
11:50:10 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 11:50
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| ABRT Report to House Fisheries Committee 2.21.23.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2023 10:00:00 AM |
|
| ABRT Final Report 2022.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2023 10:00:00 AM |