Whereas, In recognition of the important role that salmon hatchery programs play within the state of Alaska and the on going benefits derived from their operations, not only to individual fishermen but to the economies of entire communities,
Whereas, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters states its support for hatchery programs, and
Whereas, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters acknowledges that the power to effectively regulate the State of Alaska's hatchery programs lies within the Regional Planning Team Process, and
Whereas, The Regional Planning Team, has repeatedly demonstrated its capability to provide this needed regulatory function, and
Whereas, The Regional Planning Team is public and allows for full and fair participation by the public, and
Whereas, the Board of Fish already has an important job in developing regulations for fisheries and making decisions regarding allocation and resource issues,
Now Therefore Be it Resolved that the United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters requests the Board of Fish to leave the current system of determining hatchery production limits, other hatchery regulations and planning to the Regional Planning Teams and to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Commissioner.