News for December 2008

This coming season presents unique challenges for the guided sport industry in Southeast Alaska. The economy will certainly put a damper on bookings and we’re facing regulations that customers will not welcome with open arms.

Despite the choppy waters, people are stepping up and supporting SEAGO because they know this year will be is critical for the rules and regulations that sustain or constrain our businesses. As SEAGO enters its second year, we are more convinced than ever that our industry needs this mission and purpose!  Here’s the latest on the hot issues facing us:

SEAGO forms new Working Committees for Board of Fisheries issues:
The time is past for our industry’s haphazard approaches to the Board of Fisheries policy cycle. We’ve seen the bad results when few charter representatives attend the meetings and we don’t have a well-considered plan.  So, SEAGO is spearheading a careful, strategic approach for the charter industry for the upcoming Board of Fisheries meetings to be held in Sitka, February 17-26.

Nor is the February session “just another BOF meeting.”  The BOF will be taking up proposals that will determine your king salmon regulations for the next three years. There are ‘toxic’ proposals before the BOF to limit your guests to one daily bag limit for their entire stay.  Everyone in our industry would be wise to learn what we face.  Read through the Southeast finfish proposals at (http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/2008-2009/propbook/se-and-yak-fin-props2.pdf)  

SEAGO’s new committees include our members and other concerned charter operators. We’ve allocated the issues into three categories with a committee for each.  Seth Bone chairs the bottomfish committee, Russell Thomas chairs the salmon committee, and Tom Ohaus chairs the committee dealing with bag limits, possession limits, and miscellaneous proposals.  We welcome comments and help from all industry participants.  Contact Tom@Seagoalaska.org.

We encourage one and all to support SEAGO’s efforts at the BOF and, if at all possible to attend.  A number of Sitka lodges are offering free housing to those of you who make.  Email tom@seagoalaska.org for details.

Executive Director Search
Henry Mitchell, who helped SEAGO get off the ground for the past year, has decided to move on to other challenges. SEAGO is currently seeking a dynamic Executive Director who is deeply committed to defending and promoting the value of the charter fishing industry in Southeast Alaska.  We’re looking for someone who knows non-profit organizations, is well-versed in communications, campaigns, and fund-raising. We need someone who understands the Alaskan commercial and charter fishing industries. He or she should have a working knowledge of state and federal fisheries agencies and regulatory bodies, and possess excellent oral and written communications skills.  A full position description is online at www.SEAGOAlaska.org.  Note the link at the bottom of the home page.

Halibut Update
As most people in the industry are aware by now, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council dealt us a harsh blow in October. SEAGO was there, working our hardest, but when the result is a 10-to-1 vote against charter interests, you know the deck was clearly stacked against us. The package passed by the NPFMC doesn’t guarantee the charter industry a full season of fishing at a one halibut per day bag limit, let alone the two per day bag limit anglers can find in other parts of Alaska and British Columbia.  Ed Dersham, the lone vote for charter interests on the NPFMC, deserves our support and gratitude.  Please contact Ed at edd@alaska.net and let him know you appreciate his efforts.

The Charter Halibut Task Force (CHTF) with Earl Comstock in the lead, work tirelessly for our industry, but ran into a stone wall. Visit http://www.charterhalibut.org/ for updates on their efforts on your behalf. SEAGO will stay close to this issue and keep you informed.

SEAGO Leadership elected
SEAGO’s first annual meeting was held during the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage this October.  We’ve officially elected our board and offered one board seat each to the Alaska Charter Association (ACA) and the Charter Halibut Task Force (CHTF).  The members present approved our bylaws and the organization is official. The time is long overdue for the guided sport industry of Southeast Alaska to organize.