Bering Sea Fisherman's Association Legislative Update

By Representative Ivan M. Ivan, House District 39

There have been a number of issues before the 20th Alaska Legislature that affect members of the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association and commercial fisheries in general.

I introduced legislation that would prohibit hatcheries from roe stripping, House Bill 318. In the House Fisheries Committee, I offered a compromise to hatchery operators. The compromise would allow hatcheries to strip salmon roe but only in instances where excessive salmon have returned and were above the numbers needed for broodstock or cost recovery. Proceeds were to be divided between the Department of Fish and Game and the hatchery. This was rejected by the hatcheries. I view roe stripping by hatcheries as unfair competition to our western Alaska fisheries which gives the hatcheries a huge advantage in foreign markets when western Alaska chum are being sold to the same markets at very low prices. This bill is currently in the House Resources Committee. It is unlikely the bill will move because of the Resource chair’s opposition to this legislation. However, I have put hatcheries on notice that if the practice of roe stripping occurs, this legislation will be introduced next session prohibiting any and all roe stripping.

Board of Fish confirmations will be held before the end of the session for John White of Bethel and Russell Nelson of Dillingham. It is my intention to support both nominees for confirmation as requested by BSFA and other organizations in western Alaska.

I also followed the lead of BSFA and CDQ groups in opposing HJR 55 which requested the NPFMC to reallocate pollock to the inshore processors. The Legislature has a history of not involving itself in allocation issues, believing the appropriate boards and councils should make those decisions. Plus the resolution could have lead to detrimental economic impacts on communities in western Alaska if the NPFMC followed the intent of the resolution.

Last session, working with the House Finance subcommittee for the Department of Fish and Game, I was dismayed with the number of employees within the subsistence division that worked in the urban offices. With the assistance of House Finance co-chair, Representative Mark Hanley, a new budget review unit within the Subsistence Division was created "Subsistence Field Offices." The intent was to move subsistence division employees to areas where subsistence is practiced. Intent language was also adopted to cite specific locations for these offices-Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Barrow, Dillingham and Angoon. However, the department failed to follow the intent and still has the majority of their employees in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. I will continue my efforts to move subsistence division employees to rural areas despite inconveniencing those employees who find it more desirable to live in the urban areas than in the areas where subsistence is a way of life.

My office is also participating in the efforts by the AYK Marketing Group to market western Alaska chum. I will continue to monitor the activities and offer assistance when it is requested.

These are only a few of the issues before us as the 20th Alaska Legislature moves to adjournment. If you have questions on these or any other issue affecting rural Alaska, fishing or otherwise, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 1-800-323-4942.