|
|
|
House Resources Committee Co-Chair Representative Bill Hudson State Capitol, Room 108 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3744 Fax: (907) 465-2273 Send E-Mail |
House Resources Committee Co-Chair Representative Beverly Masek State Capitol, Room 128 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2679 Fax: (907) 465-4822 Send E-Mail |
Extensions Necessary in Lieu of Viable Limited Entry Program
For Immediate Release: March 31, 2000
Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Friday passed House Bill 429, sponsored by the House Resources Committee.
HB 429 extends for three years the termination date for the vessel permit moratoria for the Bering Sea Korean Hair Crab fishery and the Weathervane Scallop fishery. The moratorium on hair crab was enacted by the Legislature in 1996; the weathervane scallop moratorium was enacted in 1997.
"These extensions are necessary because we have not yet created a viable limited entry or moratorium program for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to use after these vessel moratoria expire," said Representative Bill Hudson, Co-Chair of the House Resources Committee. "There is some concern that these fisheries may not lend themselves to limited entry under existing State statutes, so the Legislature implemented the moratoria in order to give the CFEC time to submit legislation authorizing a vessel-based limited entry program. It does not appear there is time for such legislation to be passed before the current moratoria expire."
The Weathervane Scallop and Korean Hair Crab fisheries occur in both State waters and adjacent federal waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone, but Alaska has assumed management of both fisheries.
HB 429 passed the House 35-2 and now moves to the Senate.
Sponsor Statement for HB 429
Broadcasters note: Audio comments are available on the
Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
= Bill Hudson, 161 K