ACTIONS OF THE RECENT BOF WORK SESSION THAT IMPACT SE SEINERS

Actions that pertain to SE Alaska Seiners at the BOF Work session Oct 15/16/2018

The BOF took the following actions on ACRs:

Both ACRs 1 and 2 were taken up (Tuesday, October 16th) after the hatchery presentations.

ACR 1: Prohibit VFDA from incubating, rearing, and releasing pink salmon resulting from additional egg take capacity permitted in 2018 and cap egg take capacity (KRSA)

Failed, 1-6 (Morisky, yes)

ACR 2: Cap statewide private non-profit salmon hatchery egg take capacity (Virgil Umphenour) 

Failed, 2-6 (Morisky, Huntington, yes)

ACR 9: Align the Southeast Alaska King Salmon Management Plan with the Pacific Salmon Treaty annex (ADF&G)

Passed, 7-0 proposal will appear on a future agenda. 

ACR 10: Close Sitka Sound commercial sac roe herring fishery until regional herring stock status improves, additional research on herring is conducted, and the amount necessary for subsistence is met in at least three consecutive years (Louise Brady & Peter Bradley)

Failed, 1-6 (Huntington, yes)

Board members felt that this issue was already debated over multiple proposals during the Southeast BOF cycle in January. They recognized that 2018 was an unusual spawning year, but were not interested in debating this issue out of cycle. 

ACR 11: Align regulations for sport fishing services and sport fishing guide services (ADF&G) 

Passed, 7-0 proposal will appear on a future agenda.

Important Dates-

Ketchikan is re-establishing the Fish and Game Advisory Committee to the BOF on October 25^th at 6pm at the Fish & Game Conference room. If you’d like to be a member, or just have interest, please attend. I will be seeking an officer’s seat on behalf of commercial interests.

BOF Hatchery workshops will happen while the BOF is in Anchorage for other meetings, tentative date is 3/8/2019, a one day session no regulator action to take place.

BOF SE Shellfish/Finfish will be held in Ketchikan Jan 4-16 2021

Editorial note: It is obvious that hatchery production is under attack and that attack will be ongoing. I do not need to tell you how important that production is in years of low wild production, and especially this year. ACR2 would have eliminated almost all of the terminal chum production that was the only thing that SAVED the fleet this year. Also the common property harvest that intercepts these fish would also be reduced to an insignificant proportion and value from that which the fisheries has relied on. We have to step up our GAME; and that takes financial resources. If you’re not a paying member of SEAS, and you expect to have a future with your SE permit, WE need your financial support! For as long as records have been kept, about 1/3 of the fleet has paid for a political voice and the statistical work it takes to keep and advocate for your share of the enhanced production. This model cannot sustain the effort needed. We are not frivolous with your dues, and there is currently not a revenue stream to ensure our longevity, and thus your advocacy. If you are an out of state permit holder, the Gubernatorial race is such an unknown, and just got more complicated with the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Mallot. The political climate in Alaska could totally shift, and WE will need to defend our existence. Hopefully, whatever the outcome of the governors’ race, we have elected officials that understand our importance to the state’s economy. That said, there will be the largest freshman legislative delegation in Alaska after this election, than has occurred for a very long time. (I don’t keep those kinds of records, but I trust UFA Board members with their insight). We need to have the resources to meet and educate these new members. That takes money, money we do not currently have. I don’t own a permit, I just believe in the commercial fisheries (seine, gillnet, troll). I’ve spent my professional life advocating for all of the user groups. Whether you seine, gillnet, or troll; we need to have a UNITED voice to weather what is coming. Please as a Seiner step up to the plate personally and financially.

Thanks!

Susan Doherty , SEAS