|
|
|
Co-Chair: State Capitol, Room 128 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2679 Fax: (907) 465-4822 Send E-Mail |
Co-Chair: State Capitol, Room 108 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3744 Fax: (907) 465-2273 Send E-Mail |
Moratoria: Hair Crab & Scallop Fisheries
An Act extending the termination date for the vessel permit moratoria for the Bering Sea Korean hair crab fishery and the
weathervane scallop fishery; and providing for an effective date.
Updated: March 27, 2000
HB 429 extends the current vessel moratoria on the Korean hair crab (AS 16.43.901) and Weathervane Scallop (AS 16.43.906) fisheries for three years. These moratoria were enacted by the Legislature in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
These extensions are necessary because the Legislature has not yet created a viable limited entry or moratorium program for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to use after these vessel moratoria expire. Without some type of program in place, these fisheries will likely have to be reopened to a potential influx of new participants or be closed entirely. In addition, the state risks federal preemption of state management of these fisheries.
When the Legislature enacted these moratoria, it recognized that these fisheries might not lend themselves to limited entry under existing state statute. With that in mind, the Legislature implemented the moratoria and directed CFEC to submit legislation for a vessel-based limited entry program the following year. Legislation authorizing a vessel permit limitation system was introduced in the House and Senate but neither bill has moved out of its first committee of referral. It appears that legislation will not be passed in time to implement vessel limitation programs in these two fisheries prior to the expiration of the moratoria.
The Weathervane scallop and Korean hair crab fisheries occur in both state waters and in adjacent federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but the State has assumed management of both fisheries.