HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES January 27, 1993 8:30 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Rep. Carl E. Moses, Chair Rep. Harley Olberg, Vice Chair Rep. Gail Phillips Rep. Irene Nicholia Rep. Cliff Davidson MEMBERS ABSENT None COMMITTEE CALENDAR Organizational meeting with suggestions from members. WITNESS REGISTER Ray Gillespie Lobbyist 9478 Riverbend Court Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 364-3375 Position Statement: Asked committee to review ADF&G's proposed transfer of state hatcheries Richard "Rick" Lauber Lobbyist Pacific Seafood Processors Association 321 Highland Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 586-6366 Position Statement: Asked committee to be aware of impact from the Russian Federation Jerry Near 35670 Spur Hwy. Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: 262-4461 Position Statement: Commented on the impact of increased guided sport fishing on the Kenai River ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-1, SIDE A Number 000 CHAIRMAN CARL MOSES called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.. He noted all members in attendance and invited committee members to discuss their priorities for review and action by the Fisheries Committee. REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS said she would like to see the committee address the following: 1) the impacts of sport fish guides and use on the Kenai River; 2) the impacts of salmon enhancement and hatcheries; 3) what direction the state should take in marketing fish, including the issue of value-added products; 4) the CDQ program, and whether it could be expanded to other fisheries and other areas; 5) the three federal acts up for reauthorization by Congress this year: the Magnusson Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. REPRESENTATIVE CLIFF DAVIDSON reviewed the following issues as ones that concerned him: 1) a thorough review of the state's hatchery program to make sure it was equitable across the state; 2) a review of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's efforts and funding, and the impact of Tyson Food's entrance into the Alaska seafood industry; 3) review of the state position of IFQ's. REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG noted his concerns: 1) possibility of a one percent tax on salmon fishermen for marketing; and 2) he would like to address proposed water quality requlations. RAY GILLESPIE, representing four aquaculture associations, asked the committee to review the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's (ADF&G) proposed transfer of state hatcheries to the aquaculture associations to determine the need for a transition program. He said his groups have taken no position on a marketing tax, but would not support reducing current salmon enhancement taxes, which are essential to their operating budgets. RICK LAUBER, representing the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, asked the committee to be aware of what is happening with fisheries in the new Russian Federation and the impacts they are having on Alaskan fisheries. JERRY NEAR, who has lived in the Kenai River area for 30 years, reiterated Representative Phillips' concerns about the impact of increased guided sport fishing on the Kenai River. REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA noted the importance of water quality around the state fisheries. CHAIRMAN MOSES asked members and the public if there were further comments. Hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 9:35 a.m.