Fish politics.
On Saturday, after 14 days of meetings and public testimonies, the 2011 Board of Fisheries adjourned. This seven member panel meets every three years to review and possibly change the allocation of the finfish found in the Upper Cook Inlet. The competing interest include sportfishing, commercial fishing, personal use fishing, and subsistence fishing.
I'm glad to inform you that after 211 proposals sportfishing and personal use fishing will remain relatively unscathed for the next three years. On the other hand, commercial fisherman will see a reduction in their times alloted for fishing. Alaska's fishery is managed for "maximum sustained yield" and the times have been a changin' for the commercial fisherman in the Upper Cook Inlet. There's no doubt there has been an emphasis placed on sportfishing/tourism and rightfully so. Within the state of Alaska over 70% of sportfishing effort occurs in the Upper Cook Inlet. This is because of the quality of the fishery and accessibility via a road system. On the flip side, of the entire commercial fishing harvest in the state only 3% comes from the Upper Cook Inlet. It only makes sense who should have priority in the fishery and if you're reading this blog I know which side you favor.
Tight lines until 2014!
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