June 29, 2005
Wednesday

In order to access the expertise of Alaskans knowledgeable about federal fisheries issues, the State of Alaska will hold meetings in Ketchikan and Kodiak.  They are being held on the same days that the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans is holding oversight hearings in those same communities. 

The state meetings will be held:

July 6, 2005 - 9-10:30 a.m. - Ted Ferry Convention Center - Ketchikan, AK

July 8, 2005 - 9-10:30 a.m. - Kodiak High School Commons - Kodiak, AK

The meetings will present information on the State's current recommendations on Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) reauthorization and receive constituent input.  Stakeholder input is being sought for management mechanisms such as the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) structure and process, a requirement for strong credible science and a separation between resource assessment and allocation, the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program, federal fishery management plans (FMPs), observer coverage, bycatch reduction, rights-based management, and more.

Quoting a news release from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, the fishery industry is Alaska's largest private sector employer and contributes more than half of the nation's seafood harvests.  Given the importance of this industry to the state, consideration and evaluation of sustainable fisheries management is a state priority.  While the NPFMC is widely acknowledged as a model worldwide for proactive, sustainable management, improvements that further the interests of Alaskans are welcome.  

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Ketchikan, Alaska