Protecting oceans, or creating bureaucracy?

Alaska Congressman Don Young says he's introduced legislation to "direct NOAA to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee." Here's the press release.

Young offers marine sanctuary bill

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, has introduced legislation (H.R. 332) that could make it harder to designate marine sanctuaries off Alaska.

The text of the bill is not yet available.

New loan funds for charters, mariculture proposed

Gov. Sean Parnell yesterday offered some interesting legislation for state lawmakers in Juneau to consider.

Introduced as Senate Bill 67 and House Bill 121, the legislation would establish a "commercial charter fisheries revolving loan fund" and a "mariculture revolving loan fund" within the state Department of Commerce.

These new funds would be capitalized initially with $5 million and $3 million respectively.

In a letter to legislative leaders, Parnell said mariculturists, who grow shellfish, have extremely limited access to start-up capital "because of the time needed for crop development and market readiness."

With respect to charter operators, Parnell cites the halibut charter fleet's impending shift to limited entry.

Beginning Feb. 1, charter operators in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C) and Southcentral Alaska (Area 3A) will need to have a new federal charter halibut permit onboard.

As with past Alaska fishery conversions to limited entry, we're hearing an outcry from marginal players who applied but didn't qualify for permits, which are awarded based on past participation in the fishery.

Or course, those who don't qualify for a free permit from the government can now buy one on the open market. And Parnell is looking to help them with that.

In his letter to the legislative leadership, the governor assets that the federal government's denial of up to 40 percent of permit applications will have the effect of "escalating permit prices."

SB 67 and HB 121 would authorize the Department of Commerce to make loans not only for buying charter halibut permits, but for the purchase or construction of charter fishing vessels.

Parnell said the charter loan fund would be similar to the state's existing commercial fishing revolving loan fund, which he characterized as "highly successful."

It appears that loans would be limited to $100,000, with a $300,000 cap on a borrower's total outstanding loan balances.

Only Alaska residents would be eligible for mariculture or charter loans.

Palin signs legislation on fish data, tanker escorts

Deckboss confesses he's a little baffled as to the exact purpose of Senate Bill 3 cited in the press release below.

I'll endeavor to learn more, time permitting.

July 13, 2009

Governor Palin Signs Senate Bill, Resolution

ANCHORAGE — Governor Sarah Palin today signed Senate Bill 3 and House Joint Resolution 19.

SB 3, sponsored by Senator Donny Olson, requires the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Information Commission to share data with Alaska Regional Development Organizations (ARDORs) at no cost. In the past, the law required them to charge for this service. This information will help ARDOR groups get the latest, most accurate information to help them understand economic trends that could impact local economies, particularly those that rely on fishing.

HJR 19, sponsored by Representative Alan Austerman, recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and puts the Alaska Legislature on record as supporting vessel escorts for any loaded oil tanker using Prince William Sound. Current federal law only requires vessel escorts for single-hulled tankers of 5,000 gross tons or more.