Fisheries

Southeast Conference Fisheries Committee

FY2010 Work Plan

Fisheries Committee Mission

Our vision for Southeast Alaska is to reduce, to the maximum extent possible, new and existing mariculture industry.  Increase the research, employment opportunities and information pool in the fisheries and mariculture sector of Southeast Alaska’s economy.

Program Goals

1. Ensure that sufficient funding and support is made available for the reliable science-based, sustainable management of the fisheries resources and fish habitat, and water quality.
2. Advance the interest of Southeast Alaskans in developing the aquaculture industry, including shellfish nursery operation, shellfish farm, PSP testing opportunities, and marketing/shipping of product. 
3. Support research infrastructure development, training and technology to develop a strong, sustainable fishery industry.
4. Support salmon enhancement projects that will enhance the economies and employment opportunities for coastal Alaska communities.
5. Work with Southeast Alaska communities, businesses and air carriers to continue development of a program to provide air transportation capacity of fresh Alaska fish to travel to markets outside of the region.
6. Work with Southeast Alaska communities and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in developing seafood markets where there is a potential to increase the volume of seafood delivered by Southeast Alaska.

Fisheries Tasks and Work Plan

1. Maintain a Southeast Conference Fisheries Committee with active participants and have regular committee meetings.
2. Support the funding of low interest loan programs or private (angel) funds to get capital into individual businesses.
3. Support the funding of hatcheries and research facilities in Alaska
4. Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, Seward
5. Oceans Alaska, Ketchikan
6. Support State funding for Naukati Regional Processing Facility. Providing water testing and consolidated shipping opportunities that will save money for the individual farmers.
7. Stay informed about the Halibut and Salmon science and allocations, assisting to assure there is a balance between sport charter fisheries and commercial fisheries.
8. Increase number of shellfish farmers in Southeast Alaska. Support Regional
9. Sealaska oyster farms and Naukati farms
10. Weekend Warrior
11. Support using $100,000 of Pacific Salmon Commission mitigation funds to install a heat exchanger at Crystal Lake Hatchery to improve survivability of king salmon smolt.
12. Support keeping the University of Alaska’s Draft FY11 Operating Budget Request for $614,000 in the Governor’s request to the legislature, and appropriation.
13. Support the Governor’s Chinook Salmon Stakeholder Panel. Assure that Southeast Alaska is represented equally in all sectors, commercial fishing and  the subsistence, personal use, sport and charter sport.

Fisheries FY2010 Legislative Priorities

1. Support keeping the University of Alaska’s Draft FY11 Operating Budget Request for $614,000 in the Governor’s request to the legislature, and appropriation.
2. Support the Governor’s Chinook Salmon Stakeholder Panel. Assure that Southeast Alaska is represented equally in all sectors, commercial fishing and  the subsistence, personal use, sport and charter sport.
3. Support State funding for Naukati Regional Processing Facility
4. Support the funding of hatcheries and research facilities in Alaska
5. Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, Seward
6. Oceans Alaska, Ketchikan
7. Support continued funding for Alaska seafood marketing.
8. Support full funding for ADF&G research, management and enforcement of the fishery resource in Alaska.
9. Support improved transportation efforts for Alaska seafood (air transportation, use of Prince Rupert port, etc.)
10. Advocate mitigation for loss of halibut resource in SE Alaska, and for regional participation in any mitigation efforts.