Bill > HB32

This bill establishes a framework for creating regional fishery development associations in Alaska and introduces a new mechanism for developing fishery management assessments. The bill allows the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to help form nonprofit regional fishery development associations representing commercial fishermen in new or emerging fisheries. These associations can conduct elections to implement a developing fishery management assessment, which is essentially a tax on fishery resources ranging from 2.5% to 30% of the value of fish caught. The assessment can only be levied if a qualified regional fishery development association exists in the area and if commercial fishermen holding limited entry or interim-use permits vote to approve it. The collected funds can be appropriated back to the regional fishery development association to support fishery management activities, including bioassessment surveys, research, and planning. The bill provides detailed procedures for how these associations can propose, modify, or terminate the assessment through a democratic voting process involving eligible permit holders, with oversight from the state's fish and game commissioner and revenue department. The goal is to support the development of new or emerging commercial fisheries by providing a mechanism for local fishermen to fund their own management and research efforts.

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB32