The Alaska Legislature is in session and working on the budget. Fisheries programs across the state are on the chopping block—this after last year’s major cuts to the commercial fisheries division.
Kodiak’s Representative Louise Stutes hopes the legislature will fix a measure approved previously that requires some fishing boat owners to double register their vessels. The intent was to help local officials identify the owner of derelict vessels, but it’s just a hassle and another expense for some boat owners.
And here’s an interesting idea. An electric fishing vessel. It’s quiet, clean, and saves lots of money on the cost of fuel. We report on a Sitka fisherman who converted his boat himself.
We had help from Ari Snider at KCAW in Sitka. Kavitha George at KMXT. And Laine Welch from Alaska Fish Radio.
A big thank you to all you listeners of the Alaska Fisheries Report and to all the radio stations that air our program.
