JULY 31, 2013

Rep. Tarr arrives at the King Salmon airport.

Hello –

We share a common vision for our economic future- a thriving, diversified Alaskan economy, with family wage jobs, and sustainable development, whether it be energy, food, or construction.  I am taking time this interim to learn more about important industries that are contributing to our state by providing jobs to Alaskans and revenue to our state. 

These Economic Development Tours will provide me with a better understanding of what the private sector is doing to provide jobs and revenue to the state and identify  ways the state can support these industries.  We know the private sector will take the lead, but the state has a critical  role to play in making sure Alaska is a great place to invest because of our infrastructure and competitive work force.

The first Economic Development Tour was the Bristol Bay Fishery, where I visited at the  height of the sockeye salmon fishery. I had the opportunity to join Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Board Member Kevin Adams at his family's Naknek home.  His family has been fishing in Bristol Bay for decades. I traveled to King Salmon just before the 4th of July, the traditional high point of the fishery.  Mike Cerne, Executive Director of ASMI, was also visiting.

To see the Bristol Bay Sockeye Fishery at its peak time was fantastic.  There were boats everywhere, every conversation is about the weather, the catch, who is out fishing and where.  The towns in the bay swell with summer visitors.

Look for upcoming reports on our Construction, Agriculture, Health Care, Tourism, and Transportation industries. 

FISHING INDUSTRY

Daily harvests are closely monitored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Twice daily reports alert folks as to any changes in the harvest.

I began working on fishing issues to oppose the introduction of genetically modified salmon.  I was able to work with dozens of Alaska fishing organizations and working together we were successful in passing a measure to oppose GM salmon!  Through the process, I learned more about the fisheries across Alaska and the many benefits they  provide to Alaskans, and not just in coastal communities.  For example, according to the United Fisherman of Alaska, the community with the largest number of permit holders is Anchorage.

Our fishing industry is the largest private sector employer providing jobs and revenue that supports our state and is the life blood of our coastal communities.  According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game recent studies put the combined economic impact of commercial and sport fishing at $7.4 billion and 89,915 full-time-equivalent jobs. Fishing is a part of our Alaskan heritage, and we place great value on our fisheries.

DAY ONE

Rep. Tarr with ASMI Executive Director Mike Cern, and ASMI Board Member and Bristol Bay fisherman Kevin Adams, as they toured the Ocean Beauty processing plant.

I arrived in King Salmon on Sunday at lunchtime.  We had lunch with Naknek Mayor Tommy O’Hara, new Borough Manager John Fulton, and Bristol Bay Borough Assembly Member Shelby Boothe.

At lunch we discussed the sockeye fishery to date.  It was expected to be a low return this year.  There had been good weather and early returns were strong.  The weather had been nice since the opening, but turned rainy and cloudy the day we arrived bringing rough seas.  Folks were  waiting out the weather.   

We also talked about Power Cost Equalization (PCE), a program supported by the state to help offset the high cost of energy in rural communities.  As an urban policymaker, I appreciated hearing how the program is working in his area. 

After lunch we traveled to the Ocean Beauty processing facility.  Their facility is a medium size facility in comparison to some of the other 14 processors in Naknek.  We had a tour of each step of the process, from bringing the fish in off the boat, to sorting the fish, some for the fresh/frozen market and  the rest for the canning line, and also the production of gourmet salmon roe (called Ikura), mostly for the Japanese market. 

Later that night we visited the social hangouts and what struck me was the visible opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine.  There were posters about petitions, one place had salmon cutouts hanging from the ceiling, decorations bought by locals as a fundraiser to oppose the mine, and notices for upcoming events where folks could speak out about their opposition. 

DAY TWO

Ikura, ready for export.

Today we toured North Pacific Seafood's Naknek facility at Pederson Point, a facility built in the 1890's as a saltery and later converted to a salmon canning operation.  It was surprising to see buildings over 100 years old in use in such a harsh location.  The Pederson Point cannery was smaller than Ocean Beauty, employing 225 at peak season. Our visit here was shorter and we spent most of the time observing the boats and those who were beach fishing using setnets. 

After the cannery we met with Adelheid Herrmann, former legislator and now training programs coordinator for SAVEC, the Southeast Alaska Vocational Education Center.  She works to create training programs for skills needed in coastal communities.  The campus is a former military installation that was converted for use by the school.  We discussed ways to use technology to provide educational opportunities for Alaskans in rural communities.

In the evening, I had the opportunity to attend an event with our some of our Congressional delegation and US House Speaker John Boehner.  I believe it's critical that our  national leaders understand the incredible impact our Alaska fisheries have on our state and national economy.  Additionally, we have great opportunities to expand our export market and this work is supported by the industry, and state and federal investments. 

DAY THREE

Sockeye salmon arrive for processing at the Trident processing plant

Our last stop was at the Trident processing plant, the largest of the three facilities.  They can produce up to 150,000 cases of canned salmon and 1 million pounds of frozen sockeye.  Wow!  They run three can lines there and I was impressed at the pace and volume of salmon processed each day.  While many of the processes are mechanized, each step still takes many people.  In fact, this processing plant employs almost 1,000 people for the short sockeye season.  Getting workers to and from Bristol Bay is one of the unique challenges for this fishery.  Also worth noting is the financial investment necessary to run this plant; Trident Seafoods spends $25 million before they catch the first fish.   

 Later, we visited the local school, one building that houses all grades.  It's also used frequently as a community space because it's the only building that can hold a large number of people.  It's good for an urban legislator to understand the importance of having a community space in a rural community.  

WHAT THE STATE DOES FOR FISHERY MANAGEMENT

Fisheries Management- Management of our natural resources is outlined in Article 8 of our constitution, often cited in reference to the directive to manage our resources " for the maximum benefit of its people." At statehood management of our fish and wildlife was determined to be an essential government function and so the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was created as a cabinet level department run by a commissioner, who answers directly to the governor. The functions of the commissioner are to "manage, protect, maintain, improve, and extend the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state in the interest of the economy and general well-being of the state." (Alaska Statute 16.05.020)

Also created in statute is the Board of Fisheries .  The Board of Fisheries’ main role is to "conserve and develop the fishery resources of the state." (Alaska Statute 16.05.221) From the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, "this involves setting seasons, bag limits, methods and means for the state’s subsistence, commercial, sport, guided sport, and it also involves setting policy and direction for the management of the state’s fishery resources.  The board is charged with making allocative decisions, and the department is responsible for management based on those decisions."  

Click to watch a short video clip of salmon coming off the boat!

Support Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute - The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) works to increase consumption and awareness of wild Alaska seafood’s superior quality and taste by actively supporting and promoting Alaska seafood all over the world. The institute also works to ensure that Alaska fisheries standards –the most comprehensive and robust in the world- are protected from erosion by international influences. ASMI is funded by  Alaska fishermen and processors, the State of Alaska and the federal government.

The seven-member ASMI board of directors is appointed by the Governor: 5 processors (4 large processors, 1 small processor) and 2 commercial
harvesters.

For more information about ASMI, click here.

For more information about the Board of Fisheries, click here.

There are also many active industry support organizations, like United Fisherman of Alaska and the Alaska Troller's Association, working on all aspects of fisheries management and advocacy. 

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr

P.S. The total cost for this trip was $301.50. I used personal airline miles for a portion of the trip, stayed with the Adams family, and ate meals at home.

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