The Alaska Board of Fisheries rejected a proposal from the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association to give more priority for non-commercial fishermen in allocating fish among Alaska user groups.
The board voted 5-2 against Proposal 171 along pretty much historic commercial-sport fishing lines. A more detailed recap of the vote and discussion will follow later today.
Board member Israel Payton, supporting 171, spoke passionately about the frustration most Alaska sport and personal use fishermen are feeling.
“Most of them have just given up. This (current system) is not working for them.”
The defeated Proposal 171 was challenging the Board to look at the economic and user impacts of allocation in non-subsistence fishing areas statewide. The proposal would have tasked the Board from not using only historic use, which has traditionally meant commercial fishing, as the priority in areas like the Lower Cook Inlet, where sport, subsistence, personal use and commercial fishermen all compete for the same fish.
For many decades the board has maintained the historic priority to allocation most of these fish to commercial fishermen, at least in theory because the commercial fishing industry was there first. Much of the testimony Saturday was from commercial fishermen objecting to 171 for a variety of reasons, from protecting their historic franchise to being able to sell fish to people who can’t fish for themself.
Among reasons the majority citing in voted against 171 were:
- Historic use has always has priority
- The Board was maximum flexibility in setting allocations, without being restricted
- People who can’t catch fish should be able to buy fish
- The measure was really focused on Cook Inlet but was written as a statewide change
Board chairman Morisky and member Payton were the two votes in favor.
Monday the Board of Fisheries is voting on several statewide proposals, some that grew vocal opposition from commercial fishermen this weekend.
One already approved makes use of deep water release devices mandatory for all saltwater fishermen in Alaska starting in 2020. Another to allow two flies in flyfishing-only areas statewide was voted down.
Listen in online at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main#audiostream
