Monday, March 11, 2013

Hearing set on 'dude fishing' license bill

The House Special Committee on Fisheries is scheduled to hold a hearing at 10 a.m. tomorrow, in part on House Bill 143.

This bill would increase the fee for a seven-day, so-called "dude fishing" crew license from $30 to $60.

We now have a sponsor statement from the committee chairman, Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, explaining the problem he sees with people buying multiple seven-day licenses.

We also have a fiscal note from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which says that last year, 443 resident and 2,317 nonresident seven-day commercial crew licenses were sold.

The note further says that 136 nonresident fishermen purchased four or more seven-day licenses in 2012.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the abuse appears to be 136ppl x $100 in cost savings = $13,600 in under collected fees? Not even worthy of a discussion is it?

Anonymous said...

And why not just match it to the departments Bristol Bay Unlimited Entry Act.

The Dude's can't read.

Article 01. ALASKA COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENTRY COMMISSION
(a) It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the conservation and the sustained yield management of Alaska's fishery resource and the economic health and stability of commercial fishing in Alaska by regulating and controlling entry of participants and vessels into the commercial fisheries in the public interest and without unjust discrimination.

5 AAC 39.110. Crew member fishing license requirements
(b) Not more than one crew member fishing license may be obtained by a person during any one calendar year.

Anonymous said...

If you are just trying to curb the abuse why not just change the language.
1 per person per year regardless of residency-fees are another matter.

Anonymous said...

If your seven day license expires I dont think you legally have a second license. The wording would need to be fixed to prevent the double, triple, quadruple seven-day licenses.

Anonymous said...

If we're talking Bristol Bay and licensing fees, then how come a D permit holder is charged a full license fee when he/she can only use 1/3 of a full net? Shouldn't it be 1/3 the annual licensing fee?

Hello, we're from the ADFG, we're here to help you (out of your money) anyway we can.

Anonymous said...

....and it is not necesarily abuse by BB fishermen. Some people hire "peak crewmen" for only 7 days.

Anonymous said...

5:28 am
I just checked with a legislative aid.
5 AAC 39.110. Crew member fishing license requirements
(b) Not more than one crew member fishing license may be obtained by a person during any one calendar year.

The problem with this is that the vendors have no way of checking to see if other licenses have been sold at other places, etc. That is why if you check you can see that multiple 7 day licenses are being bought by the same person per year.

Anonymous said...

So how hard would it be to prosecute these guys/gals and fine them?

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, big money. Go back to sleep you handout hunter.

Anonymous said...

5 AAC 39.110(b) was repealed effective 8/15/2008.