= Jerry Mackie, 27 KNews from the
Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press
Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
Senate Defends Alaska’s Shore Based Fishermen
Passes Resolution Supporting American Fisheries Act
For Immediate Release: March 5, 1998 Contact: Dave Gray, Aide to Senator Jerry Mackie, at (907) 465-4925.
Juneau – The Senate voted 19-1 to support Senate Joint Resolution No. 33 urging Congress to pass legislation that would restrict foreign owned factory trawlers from fishing within the nation’s 200 mile off shore zone.
Sponsor Senator Jerry Mackie (D-Craig) said the resolution supports S. 1221, authored by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, called the "American Fisheries Act". The Act would not only reduce the amount of foreign ownership allowed in these large vessels, it would also limit their size and horsepower.
"If enacted, this legislation will greatly improve the ability of our fishery resource managers to conserve the offshore fish stocks and prevent over harvesting by the large factory ships," Mackie said. "This can only benefit Alaskan fishermen and processors dependent on these resources by insuring the sustainability of future harvest levels."
Mackie believes another benefit is that the new foreign ownership restrictions and phase out of foreign controlled vessels will offer additional opportunities for Alaskans. Mackie is concerned that the factory trawlers provide little benefit to Alaskan communities, unlike the shore based fleet that processes all product in local processing facilities. These facilities provide Alaskan jobs and contribute to local tax bases.
"It has been a long struggle for residents to gain a share of these valuable fisheries off our own shorelines. I would hope that the effect of S.1221 would will increase our participation in the fisheries," Mackie stated.
Mackie expects that the resolution will be approved early in this session in order to support Senator Stevens’ actions in obtaining passage of the American Fisheries Act.
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= Jerry Mackie, 27 K