= Robin Taylor, 84 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
Resolution Calls for a Wildlife Management Plan to be Implimented that is Biologically Based on Abundance
For Immediate Release: February 25,1998 Contact: Senator Robin Taylor, at (907) 465-3873.
Juneau – There will be less need to distinguish between user groups when the Department of Fish and Game implements the intent of Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 which passed the House this morning by a vote of 33 to 1.
Testimony on the resolution from around the state spoke of vast areas with no moose or caribou for the dinner tables of local residents. Four years ago, the Department of Fish and Game was allocated $900,000 specifically to implement a program of intensive management to reverse the diminishing herds of moose and caribou in certain areas of our state. To date, little has been done to reverse the decline. Many areas now have only a small number of animals which must be preserved for the survival of the herd.
This resolution is intended to once again advise the Administration, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Board of Game that the Legislature intends to see that our wildlife resources are managed for abundance for the benefit of all. A shortage of wildlife will not be solved by determining who may have a preference regarding harvest. Attempting to manage complex wildlife populations by only addressing human use will not work. Alaskans currently harvest less than 3 percent of the harvestable surplus, an amount so small that it is statistically insignificant.
An abundance of fish and wildlife for all Alaskans is the only practical solution to the subsistence impasse. Implementation of the intent of this resolution will go a long way toward solving the subsistence impasse as there will be less need to distinguish between user groups when we have a "land of plenty". Present policies only perpetuate shortages. An abundance of wildlife is what the people of Alaska need, want and demand. Plentiful populations are good for consumptive users, wildlife viewers, photographers and tourists.
SCR 2 calls on the Administration to do everything possible to implement a management policy based on biological abundance.
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= Robin Taylor, 84 K