SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE
REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES
This is a SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE adding to the NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES that was issued on October 27, 2017, hereby incorporated by reference, concerning proposed regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code. A legal notice of these proposed regulations changes will be published more than 30 days prior to the statewide meeting where the changes will be considered by the board. This SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE is being issued to notify the public of the following topics being added to the Board of Fisheries (board) schedule to be considered at the meeting noted:
The following additional topics will be addressed at the board’s Statewide Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, Miscellaneous Shellfish, and Supplemental Items meeting (Statewide meeting) scheduled for March 6–9, 2018 at the Egan Center, 555 W 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska:
IN THE YUKON AREA COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERY: Board generated proposal to review and amend the Yukon Area commercial salmon fishery season. (Newly assigned Proposal 237.)
IN THE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA SPORT FISHERY: Board generated proposal to review and amend the Prince William Sound Area sport fishery general provisions for seasons, bag, possession, and size limits, and methods and means to require deep water release mechanisms for rockfish on vessels when sport fishing. (Newly assigned Proposal 238.)
At its Southeast Shellfish and Finfish meeting, held in Sitka Alaska, January 11-23, the board reviewed subjects and scheduled them for further discussion and possible action at its Statewide meeting, March 6-9, 2018. Subject to change at the meeting, the board plans to take these subjects up during miscellaneous business.
Prince William Sound hatchery pink salmon straying. The board considered an emergency petition regarding Prince William Sound hatchery pink salmon straying into Lower Cook Inlet wild sockeye streams. While the board did not find an emergency existed, it recognized the concern and plans to review the issue in greater detail, including the potential of reforming its Hatchery Committee.
Sea Otter Depredation. The board discussed the subject of sea otter depredation on shellfish fisheries in Southeast Alaska. It agreed to review the subject in greater detail and consider issuing a letter to the appropriate federal agencies.
2020 Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting Location. The board discussed and agreed to review its consideration of the 2020 Upper Cook Inlet Finfish meeting location.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Gulf of Alaska King Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limit Setting. The board observed the Council’s upcoming plans to review its prohibited species catch limits, including those for king salmon, for the Gulf of Alaska non-pollock catcher vessels. A Council discussion paper may be available by February. If available, the board will review the discussion paper and provide feedback to the Council as necessary.
Request for Board of Fisheries Support for a Sitka Sound Pound Fishery. The board discussed a request to indicate support to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to modify regulations to allow Sitka Sound herring sac roe purse seine permit holders to use herring pound gear in Sitka Sound. The board will review additional information, including the results from CFEC’s previous regulatory review on the subject.
Joint Board Committee Recommendation to Hold a Joint Board Meeting. The board will consider a recommendation by the Joint Board Committee on whether to hold a Joint Board meeting. The committee will meet February 7, 2018. It is anticipated a recommendation will follow to both boards.
Board of Fisheries and Pacific Salmon Commission Relationship. The board discussed a request by the public to clarify the working relationship between the Board of Fisheries and the Pacific Salmon Commission. The board will review the subject in more detail.
Proposal 88. Southeast Alaska Sea Cucumber Management Plan. At the Southeast Finfish meeting, the board tabled Proposal 88 to the Statewide meeting.
Anyone interested in, or affected by, the subject matter contained in this legal notice should make written or oral comments to have their views considered by the board. You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to the private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments limited to no more than 100 single-sided or 50 double-sided pages to the ADF&G, Boards Support Section, at P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526. Additionally, the Boards Support Section will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-6094, by email to dfg.bof.comments@alaska.gov (PDF format only), or online at www.boardoffisheries.adfg.alaska.gov. Individuals and advisory committees directing public comment at an ADF&G office or personnel other than as prescribed above do not have assurance their comments will be received and entered as public comment. Written comments must be received no later than February 23, 2018. Written comments exceeding the page limit will not be accepted. Written comments limited to 10 single-sided or 5 double-sided pages in length from any one individual or group are accepted after the above deadline and inserted in board member workbooks at the beginning of the meeting, and are also accepted during the meeting and until the board begins proposal deliberations. The Additional Public Comment Standard explained in the October 27, 2017 NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES also applies to this meeting.
If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodation in order to participate in the proposed regulation process, please contact Glenn Haight at (907) 465-4110 no later than two weeks prior to the meeting to ensure necessary accommodations can be provided.
For a copy of the proposed regulation changes, or for a copy of the October 27, 2017 NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Boards Support Section, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526, phone 907-465-4110, or access the Internet at:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo
Anyone interested in or affected by subsistence, personal use, commercial fishing, sport, guided sport, or aquatic plant regulations are hereby informed that the Board of Fisheries may consider any or all of the subject areas covered by this notice. Under AS 44.62.200(b), the board may review the full range of activities appropriate to any of the subjects listed in this notice. The board may make changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport, guided sport or commercial fishing regulations as may be required to ensure the subsistence priority in AS 16.05.258. On its own motion, after the public hearing, the board may adopt, amend, reject, supplement, or take no action on these subjects without further notice. In addition, the board may adopt other regulations necessary to implement, administer, or enforce the regulations adopted. THE BOARD IS NOT LIMITED BY THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE OR CONFINES OF THE ACTUAL PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE PUBLIC OR ADF&G. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. YOU SHOULD COMMENT DURING THE TIME ALLOWED IF YOUR INTERESTS COULD BE AFFECTED.
Statutory Authority: AS 16.05 – AS 16.20; AS 16.40
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 16.05
Fiscal Information: The proposed regulatory actions are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
Date: February 2, 2018 __________________/s/_____________________
Glenn Haight, Executive Director
Alaska Board of Fisheries
ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS NOTICE INFORMATION
(AS 44.62.190(g))
- Adopting Agency: Alaska Board of Fisheries.
- General subject of regulations: YUKON AREA COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERY AND PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA SPORT FISHERY.
- Citation of regulations: 5 AAC 05 and 5 AAC 55.
- Department of Law file number (if any):
- JU2017200513 – Statewide Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, and Other Miscellaneous Shellfish and Supplemental Issues
- Reason for proposed actions: Implement, interpret, or make specific the provisions of AS 16.05 - AS 16.20, AS 16.40.
- Appropriation/Allocation: Natural Resources and all RDUs
- Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding: It is not possible to estimate the costs. However, these actions are not expected to require any additional costs.
- The name of the contact person for the regulations:
Glenn Haight, Executive Director
Alaska Board of Fisheries
PO Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
(907) 465-4110
Email: glenn.haight@alaska.gov
9. The origin of the proposed action:
[X] staff or state agency
[X] general public
10. Date: February 2, 2018 Prepared by:
Glenn Haight, Executive Director
Alaska Board of Fisheries
(907) 465-4110