HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE February 2, 2000 1:43 p.m. COMMITTEE CALENDAR ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME OVERVIEW TAPE 00-6 SIDE(S) A & B CALL TO ORDER REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON, Co-Chair, convened the House Resources Standing Committee meeting at 1:43 p.m. PRESENT Committee members present were Representatives Masek, Hudson, Kapsner, Joule, Whitaker, Harris and Cowdery. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FRANK RUE, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, introduced the division directors that were present, as well as those on teleconference. DAVID BENTON, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, stated that he is the Alaska commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Council and a representative on the National Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPMFC). He proceeded to give an overview on the Pacific Salmon Treaty. He explained that a result from negotiations is that the abundance-based management concept was adopted; in addition, the Northern Fund was established. CO-CHAIR HUDSON asked how the Northern Fund is appropriated. MR. BENTON said it is set up like the Exxon trust. It is not appropriated through the Alaska State Legislature. He gave an explanation on the management of halibut charters in Southeastern and Southcentral Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY asked if residents who own boats will be restricted like [those who own] charter vessels. MR. BENTON said no. CO-CHAIR MASEK expressed her concern that Alaska residents who do not own a boat, such as herself, will no longer be able to rely on a halibut charter to fill their freezers with halibut to feed families. MR. BENTON assured the committee that he was going to sincerely represent that section of the population at the NPFMC meeting in February. CO-CHAIR MASEK asked for the percentage of halibut taken as bycatch and waste by the commercial fishery compared to the percentage taken by Alaska sport fishermen. MR. BENTON said he had those numbers in the office and would be happy to provide them to the committee. COMMISSIONER RUE discussed the developing fisheries issue, saying that a number of fisheries could be developed or further developed if the department had the funds to do so. DOUG MECUM, Director, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, expanded on developing fisheries, saying that to make sure it has adequate management programs, the department needs an adequate budget. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER discussed the Bristol Bay disaster, requesting a research report on it. She noted that this year represented the fourth disaster in seven years, and it was the third "disaster year" in a row. CO-CHAIR HUDSON noted the time and expressed his desire to have the department back before the committee to specifically discuss subsistence. COMMITTEE ACTION The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT The House Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at an unspecified time. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at 129 6th Street, Suite 229, Juneau, Alaska 99801, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at 129 6th Street, Suite 102, Juneau, Alaska 99801, (907) 465-3808.