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Extensions Necessary in Lieu of Viable Limited Entry Program
For Immediate Release: April 13, 2000 Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Thursday passed House Bill 429, sponsored by the House Resources Committee. HB 429 extends for three years the termination date of 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 fisheries occur in both State and adjacent federal waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone, but Alaska has assumed management of both fisheries. "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 viable vessel-based limited entry program," said Representative Bill Hudson (R-Juneau), Co-Chair of the House Resources Committee. "It does not appear there is time for such legislation to be passed before the current moratoria expire." HB 429 passed the Senate 20-0. Sponsor Statement for HB 429 |
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