Juneau watch

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed Senate Bill 156 providing for a temporary state investment in the struggling Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank.

The bill garnered near unanimous support from legislators, and United Fishermen of Alaska also supported it.

What the Legislature did

The first session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature came to a close on May 20, with legislators managing a modest slate of actions important to the fishing industry.

This could be disappointing in many minds, as the industry has been mired in an economic crisis and a special legislative task force had made numerous recommendations ahead of the session.

The Legislature operates on a two-year cycle, so bills that didn't pass this session will remain alive in the second session next year.

Here's a rundown of what happened during the session that just adjourned.

• Legislators included $10 million in the budget for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute to boost domestic marketing. This might have been the session's most significant fishery action. Now, we wait to see if the sum survives the governor's veto pen.

• Legislators passed House Bill 116 to help commercial fishermen form insurance cooperatives to reduce costs.

• House Bill 31 passed to eliminate the need for state Division of Motor Vehicles registration of commercial fishing vessels already tracked by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

• Senate Bill 156 provides for a temporary state investment of $3,693,500 in the struggling Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank. United Fishermen of Alaska explained the situation in this letter of support for SB 156.

All the bills now await the governor's signature.

Juneau watch

Legislators are considering House Bill 199 to help the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank better compete with the state in making loans.

This sponsor statement explains.

News of interest

This just in from the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank:

Nov. 22, 2011

The Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank (CFAB) will be lowering its lending interest rate by 2 percent on existing and new loans effective Jan. 1, 2012.

Lela Klingert, CFAB chief executive, made the announcement at CFAB's annual meeting on Nov. 18.

CFAB is a private, member-owned cooperative providing financing to Alaskan-owned commercial fishing, tourism and resource businesses since 1980.

At the same meeting, incumbent board member Roseleen "Snooks" Moore was re-elected to a new three-year term.

Yours for $330,000

Do the fish stand any chance?

I was perusing the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank Web site the other day and noticed a beast of a boat listed under the "For Sale" section.

Here's the full ad:

For Sale by CFAB Member

Jet Boat — New — Bristol Bay or PWS — $330,000

32' X 14'10"; 375ph John Deere Tier 2; 15" White Water jet. Refrigerated.

Fast-Shallow-Economical. Large deck space; comfortable living quarters; engine room.

Banner Boatworks: 907.399.1884 or 907.235.6612

Disclaimer: All information provided by seller who is solely responsible for the content. CFAB makes no warranties or guarantees express or implied in any way.

Palin names bank, fisheries, forestry panelists

Gov. Sarah Palin announced these appointments today:

Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank

Gov. Palin appointed Robert Scott to the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank (CFAB) board of directors. The governor appoints two of the seven-member CFAB board, which manages the assets of and selects officers to the bank. CFAB was created to address limitations to the access to credit by resident Alaska commercial seafood harvesters, processors and farmers. In 2000, CFAB's statute was amended to expand its lending authority to include tourism and resource-based industries.

Scott, of Kenai, has been the president of Salamatof Seafoods Inc. since 1980. Prior to that he was the senior vice president of Alaska operations for Whitney Fidalgo Seafoods Inc. from 1972-1980. He has worked in the fishing industry since 1949. Scott serves on the Trustee Health and Welfare Plan for the International Longshore Workers Union and has served on the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska State King Crab Quality Control Board, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and as a member of the Pelican Volunteer Fire Department. He was appointed to a seat representing a governor’s appointment.

Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission

Gov. Palin reappointed Rep. Bryce Edgmon to the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. The three-member Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission was created to promote better use of marine resources, shellfish, and finfish. It develops programs for protection and prevention of waste of fisheries.

Edgmon, of Dillingham, represents a district that includes the Aleutian, Pribilof and Shumagin Islands, the Alaska Peninsula, and Bristol Bay — altogether one of most productive commercial fishing regions in the world. He has held seats on the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee, both of which are bodies that regularly scrutinize issues and legislation related to stewardship of the marine environment. Edgmon was appointed to a seat representing a legislator serving on the Resources Committee.

Alaska Board of Forestry

Gov. Palin reappointed Rob Bosworth and Mark Vinsel to the Alaska Board of Forestry. The nine-member board’s mission includes advising the governor on state logging and forestry regulations, promoting cooperative resolution of industry-related issues, recommending areas of forestry research and suggesting improvements to state forestry laws and regulations.

Bosworth, of Juneau, is Southeast Alaska Program director for The Nature Conservancy. He has worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, as a research analyst in the 1970s and deputy commissioner in 2002. Bosworth holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental studies and a master’s degree in resource management from University of California, Santa Cruz. He also received a master’s degree in marine affairs from University of Washington, Institute for Marine Studies — Emphasis on Coastal Resource Management. Bosworth was appointed to a seat representing an environmental organization.

Vinsel, of Juneau, has been executive director of United Fishermen of Alaska since 2004, after serving as the industry advocacy group’s office manager from 2000-04. He served as chairman of the Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission from 2005-08, and chairman of the Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission from 2005-07. Vinsel earned a bachelor’s degree in design and industry from San Francisco State University. He was appointed to a seat representing the commercial fishing industry.