"An Act authorizing a commercial fisherman to fish in each fishery for which the commercial fisherman holds a commercial fishing entry permit; relating to the power of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and the Board of Fisheries to limit the number of fisheries in which a person may hold an entry permit and operate gear during a fishing season or a year; and providing for an effective date."

House Bill 415 would allow commercial fishermen to fish in more than one State managed salmon fishery in different areas in which they hold permits. For example, if a person has a Southeast gillnet permit and a Bristol Bay permit, he or she could fish both in the same year. Under the current law, a permit holder can only participate in different fisheries inside the same administrative area in a single year. HB 415 would not change the requirement that fishermen must use a different boat in each administrative area, and different gear in each of the specified fisheries. It would allow resident fishermen to diversify their businesses and increase their revenue.

This legislation was introduced at the request of the United Fishermen of Alaska. The UFA supports the concept because it is a progressive approach to revitalizing the seafood industry.

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