Sponsor Statement for HB 149

An Act relating to the Management of Salmon Fisheries

House Bill 149 addresses the issue of salmon management with the intent of giving priority to the "consumptive user" (subsistence, personal users and sport fishers). The legislation's ultimate objective is to "put more salmon in our rivers".

Greatly diminished returns of salmon in rivers and streams of Cook Inlet's Upper Susitna River Drainage System in recent years has forced closures and restrictions on sportfishing, much to the detriment of Southcentral Alaska's economy.

Many of our constituents have demanded the legislature take action to address this inequity of our salmon resources. I myself have numerous constituents who are sportfishing advocates (as I am), and are frustrated with what they perceive as inaction of the Board of Fisheries to satisfactorily address the problem. Given this, as well as the apparent lack of success of the mediation efforts, I felt compelled to file this legislation.

HB149 is not a reflection of any opposition to the commercial fishing industry, but rather merely an attempt to more equitably share the resource that belongs to all Alaskans. The consumptive user currently receives a miniscule 1% (approx.) of the entire resource state-wide.

The sportfish industry is vital to the economy of Alaska, particularly in Southcentral. With the recent river closures and restrictions, it has been devastating, particularly to the economy of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

02/19/97