Lawmakers Limit Reduction in Seiners’ Buyback Program
Bob TkaczResponding to concerns from salmon processors that harvesting capacity could be reduced too much, an Alaska Senate committee has conditioned passage of a bill, critical to a federally financed buyback program, with a limit on the number of Southeast seine permits that can be eliminated from the fishery.A letter of intent attached to the bill says at least 260 permits must remain in the fishery.Adopted by the Senate Resources Committee, March 31, the letter declares that SB 255 is being passed “with the understanding, and the assurance of the Southeast Revitalization Association, that... this bill will not reduce the number of permits in that fishery to less than 260.”Through April 4, 379 permits have been renewed for 2010, including 187 held by Alaska residents and 192 owned by Ou...