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In this Newsletter
Every day SEAGO takes care of business for you in the uphill battle against bad legislation, bad appointments, and bad regulations. There many key issues on the near term horizon, (ie halibut 1-fish, Statewide BOF proposals, catch sharing plan, and more) and we need your assistance. Please take a moment to renew your membership or join SEAGO. Your financial support will let us continue as a strong, unified voice as we work to ensure fair access to Alaska’s fishing resources. And because there is strength in numbers, encourage your friends to join too! In recognition of the difficult economy, we have lowered our fees and created a flexible payment program for 2009Please click here now to join or to renew your membership. Thank you in advance for your continued support of our organization.
The Board of Fisheries has published the list of proposals to be considered at the State wide meeting next March. In addition, they announced their meeting schedule for 2009-10 here: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/fishinfo/meetinfo/fcal.php The Charter Halibut Taskforce lawsuit continues through the legal system. The judge denied a preliminary injunction request and published her reasons. Further filings are scheduled in July. The negative impact of the one-halibut rule is being felt throughout the state. In a recent article by NACO, National Association of Charterboat Operators, they stated that lodges and guides in Kodiak and Homer have experienced cancellations and lost bookings by sport fishermen who think the ruling applies statewide. NPFMC has proposed implementation of a Charter Halibut Catch Sharing Plan next year (details here at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/
During the month of July SEAGO will be implementing an individual sportfisher advocacy program in order to add the voice and message of the ten thousand fishermen we serve each year to our lodge owners and guides. As we enter another difficult regulatory year, this program will give our clients an effective means to communicate our point of view directly to politicians and department officials. Look for an announcement later this month.
SEAGO attended the 16th annual Kenai Classic sponsored by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association ( http://www.kenairiversportfishing.com ) at the end of June. The 3 day event included: two days of fishing, a reception, fisheries issues/education meetings, and a banquet & auction. Approximately 200 invitees attended the event and 400+ joined the banquet/auction. Guests included politicians, corporate representatives and sportfishing advocates. We had a chance to meet with Senators Murkowski and Begich, Representative Young, and approximately 15 Alaska state legislators and other officials. In addition we furthered discussions regarding the formation of the statewide fishermen’s organization, AFA. Many thanks to KRSA for including us in the program.
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