Alaska State Legislature

News from Representative Vic Kohring

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 1996
Contact: Rep. Vic Kohring at (800) 478-2186

Rep. Kohring Files Fish Legislation for Achieving Equity in Salmon Harvests

JUNEAU -- Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla/Peters Creek), announced today the introduction of House Bill 149 addressing the issue of salmon management in the state, with the intent of giving priority to the consumptive user; subsistence, personal users and sportfishers. Representative Kohring was joined by Representative Masek as a co-sponsor in this important effort. Both Kohring and Masek felt a need to file such a bill, especially in light of diminished salmon returns in rivers of the Upper Susitna River Drainage in recent years, and the resulting closures and restrictions placed on sportfishing.

The bill reflects intent language of the Fairness In Salmon Harvest (F.I.S.H.) Initiative whose supporters collected approx. 28,000 signatures last year. However, the Supreme Court struck it down. Kohring's legislation directs the Board of Fisheries to give priority to the "Common Consumptive User" (subsistence, sport users and sportfishers) after sustained yields of salmon stocks are achieved to ensure sufficient numbers of fish are protected, by preserving the resource for the benefit of all users.

"I feel the public is demanding that the legislature address the issue of inequity in use of our salmon resources," explained Kohring. "Even if this legislation proves difficult to get through the system, which I anticipate, at least those of us that support this cause have to try. I have numerous constituents who are sportfishing advocates, as I am, and are frustrated with what they see as inaction of the Board of Fisheries to resolve the problem. They are therefore looking to the legislature for answers by demanding, 'more fish in our rivers.'"

"An important point is that those of us in the legislature advocating this cause are not opposed to commercial fisherman, because we recognize that they have to make a living too," stated Kohring. "We simply desire a fair share of the salmon resource for our constituents, especially given that sport fishers receive less than 5% of the entire resource. In addition, the sportfish industry is vital to the economy of the Southcentral Alaska and, with the river closures in recent years due to diminished salmon returns, it has been just devastating, particularly to the Mat-Su."

"We call for all parties to work together in resolving this important issue."

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