Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate Majority

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 510
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907/258-8184
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Bristol Bay Salmon Run Doesn’t Materialize

Fishermen and Senators Want to Know Why

For Immediate Release: July 14, 1998 Contacts: Senator Robin Taylor at (907) 258-8159 or Senator Jerry Ward at (907) 258-8183 or Senator Rick Halford at (907) 694-4958.

Anchorage – In response to the dramatically depressed Sockeye Salmon returns in Bristol Bay and Western Alaska, Senate Majority members Tuesday announced their intent to conduct a review of the fishery including the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s (ADF&G) management practices.

"There is a growing outcry from the fisherman of Bristol Bay and Western Alaska who depend on this fishery resource for their livelihood," said Senate Majority Leader Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell). "Many of them believe that the unprecedented regional crash in salmon stocks is at least in part a result of mismanagement by Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game."

As of today, less than seven million sockeye have been harvested in Bristol Bay. This compares with a ten-year average of 30 million, and is drastically below the ADF&G 20 million harvest projection for this season. This disparity translates into a $70 million dollar shortfall for this fishery, considered by many to be the most important in the state. Western Alaska returns are even more grim.

"Last year they blamed it on the weather. This year, they have no idea what is wrong," said Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage). "Maybe if the Governor had selected a Commissioner of Fish and Game with a degree in biology instead of English Literature we would have some answers."

The Governor has announced his intention to send a cabinet level task force to the area in order to determine the need for economic assistance. According to media reports, he is also expanding the special session call to include the current fishery disaster.

Senate Resource Committee Chairman, Rick Halford (R-Chugiak) said "Short term economic assistance may be appropriate on an emergency basis, but long term subsidies build dependence which is exactly what the fishing community doesn’t want. They don’t need money, they need fish – or at least an accurate projection of how many fish to expect."

"The Bristol Bay salmon collapse is another glaring example of a very disturbing trend toward diminishing fish and game populations," said Senator Taylor. "Sadly, instead of managing for abundance, this administration seems content with arguing over who has the right to catch the last fish or shoot the last moose."

Sockeye Salmon are the life-blood of the Bristol Bay and Western Alaska Regions. Commercial fishing is the leading employer and number one contributor to the area economy. Salmon taken for subsistence use represent an important dietary component for most area residents.

"You have to wonder about a governor who chooses to advocate for a federally mandated system of discriminating among users instead of for active management of healthy fish and game populations," said Senator Ward. "Our Constitution mandates, and all Alaskans deserve, responsible sustained yield management."

"There is every indication that this year’s run will be even less than the disastrous levels of last year," said Halford. "The real question is – why? Any legislative discussion on this issue will include a management review."

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