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.] 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.