2009-2010 Winter comes on strong in SEAK

A very weak winter makes way for the possible first reversal of SEAK pink salmon fortunes for over a decade.

Since 1999, both cycles have been a bit flushed and the winters have produced declines, albeit barely noticeable in 2003-2005 when we were on draconian limits.

Now we anticipate that we'll never be on limits again. We'll believe it when we see it. Salmon have a way of creating confusion in their returns.

The good news is that we have an odd cycle in the bag with the mildest winter we've seen in at least a decade. Hopefully this is a trend.

The bad news is that most of the smaller island systems or lower lying systems, like POW, Kuiu, Etolin, etc. have little snowpack on their mountains, so hopefully for the even cycle, we avoid a drought this summer.


Good fishing. Call anytime.

Session is over and I'm moving around to visit the fleet so call me if you want me to come to your town for lunch.

Especially if you live somewhere warm and sunny.

bobbyt

ps, bottom line. 26 million in 2010, 76 million in 2011.

Buyback Bill passed

HB365, which ties up the state's nexus with the Federal loan, passed without objection in both the House and Senate.

Many thanks to all of you who helped on this. Both you SEAS members as well as the great public servants, our bill sponsor, Anchorage Rep. Charisse Millett, along with our co-sponsors,Juneau Rep. Cathy Munoz,Ketchikan Rep Kyle Johansen, Juneau Rep Beth Kerttula. Wrangell Rep Peggy Wilson, as well as our companion bill in the Senate, SB255, sponsored by Nome Senator Donny Olson and co-sponsored by Juneau Senator Dennis Egan.

CFEC, with Commissioner Homan at the helm, was indispensible, as well as the administration and staff and committees who shepherded this important piece of the buyback through. Department of Law as well as Dept. of Revenue helped out a ton as well. Tom Leonard (law) and Tim Cottongim(sp) (rev).


Thanks to all of you who testified in support. Not one fisherman testified or wrote a letter in opposition.

Now it's just up to the Federal rulemaking and then the vote of the permit holders.

bobbyt