(Juneau) - The House Finance budget subcommittee for the Department of Fish and Game has today passed a proposed departmental budget of $164.4 million for FY07. Representative Jim Holm (R- Fairbanks), chairman of the subcommittee, indicated four components to the budget proposal that deserve special attention: Commercial Fisheries, Sport Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation, and Administration.

Much of the funding activity within commercial fisheries for the coming fiscal year involves programs in westward and southeast Alaska. "First, we're looking at improved funding for a number of dive fisheries projects, improving shellfish and groundfish studies throughout Alaska, and supporting a science education initiative in Bristol Bay," Representative Holm said.

"With regard to Sport Fisheries, we're looking at improving salmon stock assessments statewide, and increases for the fish hatcheries projects coming along in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and southeast," Representative Holm stated. "The funding increases are expected to help improve the management of salmon stocks and to ensure the state is "consistent with the principle of sustainable yield," added Representative Holm.

Under Wildlife Conservation, Representative Holm said, "we're approving a general fund increase to give wildlife biologists the tools necessary to perform intensive game management and predator controls." Furthermore, the department indicated that hunting licenses and game tag fees haven't been adjusted for over a decade. "I think we can expect to see from the department next year some hunting license fee increases," Representative Holm concluded.

Administratively, the subcommittee is supporting an increment to the Fish and Game Boards and Advisory Committees around the state. Representative Holm said, "these folks have demonstrated their valuable input to the decision making process in establishing our hunting and fishing regulations, quotas and bag limits. These additional funds will allow better communication from all effected areas throughout the state and not just metropolitan areas."

The subcommittee's recommendation of $164.4 million in total funding roughly splits the difference between what the Dept. of Fish and Game was funded this year and the Governor's proposed increase for next year.

The subcommittee makes initial recommendations for funding levels that are forwarded to the full Finance Committee for adoption.

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