Senate Bill 155 alters language within Section 16.05.783 of the Alaska Statutes relating to the Regulation of Fish and Game. These alterations provide the Fish and Game Board and Commissioner with necessary tools in the management of game populations throughout the state.

The first alteration clarifies Legislative intent with respect to airborne predator control programs. The second alteration provides for game population objectives to be taken into consideration in determining whether or not a predator control program should be implemented.

As an example, if the minimum game population objective is met, but the harvest level is not, a management decision-under current law-cannot be made even if it is determined that predators are limiting the game population. The second alteration allows the Board to use both prey and game population objectives when making a determination with respect to the use of a predator control program.

Senate Bill 155 makes changes that will allow the Fish and Game Board as well as the Commissioner to better manage wildlife by balancing predator and game populations based on the best science available.

Last Updated: 03-31-03

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