The Senate Finance Committee is working on two bills regarding fishing licenses and fees.
Senate Finance co-chair Anna MacKinnon warned the committee this morning that the hearings might generate heated arguments.
Sen. MacKinnon(R-Eagle River): “We’re getting ready to enter the fish wars, and I don’t mean that in a light way. The next two bills before us will have the resource issue that belongs to the people of Alaska and the conversation of state versus personal use.”
The first fishing bill heard by Senate Finance was House Bill 41, which would re-establish the fishing guide registration and logbook program in Alaska that sunsetted in 2014. That bill would increase the fees from $50 – $100.
The second bill heard and held by the committee was House Bill 137, the legislation best known for the “sockeye stamp” proposal.
Kenai’s Dwight Kramer spoke on behalf of the Kenai Area Fisherman’s Coalition…
Kramer: “Last year when the Kenai River Special Management Area board put this idea of the sockeye stamp forward, it was always the intent that sport and [personal use] fisheries would inherit this fees as a way to offset state expenses for these fisheries on the Kenai and Kasilof watersheds. We are sure that many sport fishermen will find this unacceptable that they are the only ones now being asked to pay this fee under the current provisions of House Bill 137.”
He says the personal use fisheries on the Peninsula cost more and the fee burden should be spread out.
Both fishing bills were heard and held.