The Alaska Board of Fisheries began its six-day review process for crab, shrimp and miscellaneous shellfish policies in Southeast and Yakutat yesterday at Wrangell’s Nolan Center. Public testimony on the policy changes being proposed began Wednesday morning and will continue today.
Part of the regulatory arm of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the board’s main role is to conserve and develop the fishery resources of the state, by setting seasons, bag limits, methods, means and other regulations for Alaska’s subsistence, commercial, sport and personal use fisheries. It consists of seven governor-appointed members, each serving three-year terms.
In reaching its decisions, the board uses biological and economic data provided by ADFG, comments received from the public, and guidance from the state law and public safety departments.
Fifty-six proposals have been put forward this cycle to alter how ADFG regulates its crab, shrimp and shellfish fisheries. Wrangell’s fisheries advisory committee went over them in a pair of meetings in December, submitting its recommendations to the board for consideration.
Comprised of local fishermen, sportsmen and subsistence users, the advisory committee had been largely opposed to proposals limiting or closing the crab fishery in specific areas, as well as extending the Dungeness season through the end of February.
The committee was also supportive of proposals to repeal the Southeast Alaska Area Dungeness Crab Fisheries Management Plan, which would return management to guidance by sex, size and season.
A complete list of policies being addressed can be found online at http://goo.gl/BepNTl, and the agenda and other materials for the meeting can be found at the ADFG website at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main.
After public testimony concludes today, board members will commence committee work, examining Dungeness, King and Tanner crab proposals this afternoon. Their first deliberations will begin tomorrow, with remaining shrimp and shellfish proposals considered Saturday.
Board deliberations for these will continue Sunday and Monday, followed by miscellaneous business and the meeting’s adjournment. Initially the Fisheries Board meeting was scheduled to last through Jan. 27, but was reduced by a day due to a reduced number of proposals and board process efficiencies.
The board is next scheduled to meet in Sitka Feb. 23 through March 3, to discuss Southeast and Yakutat finfish management proposals. The 119 proposals being considered are also available online at http://goo.gl/60rw2L.
Comment on the proposed regulation changes are still being accepted up to two weeks in advance of the meeting. Written comments are to be limited to 100 single-sided or 50 double-sided pages, and can be sent to ADFG Boards Support Section, at P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526.
Written comments limited to 10 single-sided or 5 double-sided pages in length will still be accepted after the two-week deadline and inserted in board member workbooks at the beginning of the meeting, up until the board begins proposal deliberations.
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