ADFG Proposing Saltwater Sportfishing Logbook Regulation Changes

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is proposing to change 5 AAC 75.076(a) to update the year referencing Saltwater Charter Logbook and Vessel Registration forms and the Freshwater Sport Fish Guide Vessel Registration forms, adopted by reference from 2020 to 2021.

The contents of the notice can be found on the Alaska Online Public Notice System located here:  https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=199772

The contents of the public notice is as follows:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN UPDATING THE YEAR REFERENCE OF THE SPORT FISHING CHARTER LOGBOOK AND VESSEL REGISTRATION REPORTING FORMS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME

The commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, under a delegation of authority issued by the Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) under AS 16.05.270, proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) related to reporting requirements, adopted by reference, for sport fishing guide operators, specifically:

5 AAC 75.076(a) is proposed to be changed to update the year printed in the Saltwater Charter Logbook and Vessel Registration forms and the Freshwater Sport Fish Guide Vessel Registration forms, adopted by reference from 2020 to 2021.  Please note that beginning in 2021, all Sportfishing Guide businesses and guides operating in Southeast Alaska will be required to use an eLogbook to report sportfish guiding activities.  Please visit the ADF&G website at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SFGuidesLicense.eLogbook

for more information regarding the eLogBook program.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526.  Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-2604 and by electronic mail atshellene.hutter@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link:  https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=199772   The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 13th, 2020.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526.  Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game will accept questions by facsimile at (907) 465-2604 and by electronic mail at shellene.hutter@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Fish and Game will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Shellene L. Hutter at (907) 465-6124 no later than November 12, 2020 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of this notice of proposed regulation changes and the regulations proposed to be changed are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System. A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is also available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.  For a physical copy of the proposed regulation changes contact Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator at the mailing address, telephone number, or email address above.

After the public comment period ends, the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action.  The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations.  You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory Authority:  AS 16.05.251; AS 16.05.270

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific:  AS 16.05.251

Fiscal Information:  The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.

The Department of Fish and Game keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the department’s notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Fish and Game Boards Support Section at P O Box 115526 Juneau, AK 99811, by phone at (907) 465-4110, or via our website at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.