Board Of Fisheries Accepting Proposal Ideas For Finfish, Shellfish Regulations

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

THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES CALLS FOR PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE SUBSISTENCE, PERSONAL USE, SPORT, GUIDED SPORT, AND COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR SOUTHEAST AND YAKUTAT FINFISH AND SHELLFISH, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND FINFISH AND SHELLFISH, AND ALL OTHER SHELLFISH STATEWIDE.

PROPOSAL DEADLINE – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024

The Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) is accepting proposed changes to the subsistence, personal use, sport, guided sport, and commercial fishing regulations for Southeast and Yakutat finfish and shellfish, Prince William Sound finfish and shellfish (including the Upper Copper River and Upper Susitna River), and all other shellfish statewide for consideration by the board in its 2024–25 meeting cycle. The board may also consider subsistence proposals for other topics (including other areas) under the subsistence proposal policy, 5 AAC 96.615, if proposals are submitted within this deadline and the board determines they meet the criteria in either 5 AAC 96.615(a)(1) or (2).

To ensure the proposal book is finished in advance of the board meetings, the board sets Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the proposal deadline.

Proposals may be submitted online, email, mail or fax at:

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

Mail:              ADF&G, Boards Support Section

                      P.O. Box 115526

                      Juneau, AK 99811-5526

Fax:                (907) 465-6094

Proposals must be received by Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Boards Support Section office in Juneau. A postmark is NOT sufficient for timely receipt.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit proposals at the earliest possible date. The Board of Fisheries proposal form, including the on-line proposal form, is available at the Boards Support website, http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.forms. Proposal forms are also available at any Boards Support office. Proposals must be submitted on the current approved form. Any additional information provided with the form, such as tables, Internet web links, photos, or charts, will not be included in the proposal book.

The completed proposal form must contain a contact telephone number and address. Email addresses are appreciated. Please print or type the individual’s or organization’s name as appropriate.

The board encourages individuals or organizations to communicate and coordinate with others in the development of proposals. Local Advisory Committees (AC) are an excellent resource and the collective knowledge and experience within ACs may help improve proposals, increasing their chances of success. Here is a link to ACs across the state https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=process.acregion. You can also work with area staff from the Department of Fish and Game to better understand the current regulations, and what the effect(s) of your proposed change may be. Area staff contact information can be found on the ADF&G website here: https://adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=contacts.main.

All proposals are reviewed prior to publication. Language that is emotionally charged detracts from the substance of the proposal and may draw opposition not germane to the element(s) of the proposal. Such language may be edited or deleted prior to publication. Proposals that do not meet the call will not be accepted. Proposals must pertain to the region, species, and uses in this call. If duplicative proposals are received by the same individual or group only one will be included in the proposal book.

Proposals published in the proposal book will be referenced with the appropriate Alaska Administrative Code citation and include a brief description of the action requested.

Proposal books are sent to advisory committees and the public for review and comment. Proposals are online at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.proposalbook. Those submitting proposals are encouraged to review the proposal book at their earliest convenience to ensure proposals are included and accurate. Noted errors and omissions should be reported to Boards Support immediately. The public is encouraged to visit the Board of Fisheries website frequently for news and information regarding the upcoming cycle.

Responsive proposals received by the proposal deadline will be considered by the Board of Fisheries during the October 2024 through March 2025 meeting schedule.

For more information, please contact the Alaska Board of Fisheries Executive Director, Art Nelson, at (907) 267-2292.