The Alaska Fisheries Report

Maggie Wall/KMXT

Coming up this week’s Alaska Fisheries Report… In Juneau, legislators debate the merits of raising the fuel tax. A measure would require skippers to collect taxes from their crew and send it to the State Revenue Department. And the Senate Resources Committee hears from several Alaskans nominated for the Board of Fish.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, federal law makers defend the Coast Guard from budget cuts announced last week. The proposed cuts are intended to help strengthen the military. But there’s a big problem with that claim–the Coast Guard IS part of the U.S. military.

Halibut and Black Cod opened on March 11 as expected, and in Sitka herring roe fishermen are still on hold.

The halibut fishery was in doubt until it could be determined how a ban on new regulations affected the fishery. Black cod, which is usually opened in conjunction with halibut was also caught in the regulatory snafu.