Some of the main words of dissent toward the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) came at the state hearing held before the subcommittee meeting. Although the state meeting did not have the presence of a U.S. congressman like the proceedings before the Subcommittee of Fisheries and Oceans, local fishermen were allowed to be heard by state fisheries officials.

It was also widely acknowledged that the timing of the meeting was poor. However, local officials felt they had to take advantage of this opportunity for dialogue between the different positions.

Edgar Blatchford, commissioner for the Department of Community and Economic Development; Heather Brandon, state ocean policy coordinator; Alan Austerman, fisheries policy advisor to Gov. Frank Murkowski; and Michael Tubman, associate director for the governor’s office, all attended the state hearing.

Testimony from the meeting was not on an invitation-basis, and this allowed some of Kodiak’s fishermen to voice their opinions on the reauthorization of the MSA. Those who testified spoke mainly about the state’s role in protecting the economic development and vitality of coastal communities.

They warned officials that the MSA and its rationalization provisions will potentially cause the collapse of these communities dependent on the fisheries. They reasoned that as the council continues to consolidate the access, processing, and rights to the resources, fewer and fewer people will be involved. As this occurs, they argued, there will be less investment in the community at the local levels all the way to international levels.

Bruce Schactler, president of the United Salmon Association, voiced concern about the state of fisheries for future generations.

“The opportunity for young people to come into the fisheries in a significant manner and move forward to do anything other than an entry-level job for an entry-level living is rapidly turning into a non-reality.”

Kodiak fisherman Joe Macinko’s testimony focused mainly on the state’s legislative measures involving processors.

The state, he said, has allowed processors to send seafood caught in Alaska to be processed overseas. This in turn lowers processor costs, as they do not have to pay taxes on seafood destined for re-export.

This has a significant effect on the community, he said, and he specifically cited the salmon industry. Twenty years ago, fishermen received 40 percent of the wholesale value of the fish, while currently they only get 16 to 18 percent of that value. Not only are salmon fishermen getting half of what they received 20 years ago, but also the overall community, Macinko said.

These sorts of concerns were voiced later by Kodiak Mayor Carolyn Floyd.

“We are concerned that rationalization can have adverse effects on fishermen because it reduces competition and creates winners and losers,” Floyd said.

Her later testimony to the subcommittee stated that fishing privileges where the holder does not have to be actively involved in the income can cause the migration of both people and capital from a fishing community.

Floyd’s testimony further stated, “processor protection is not synonymous with community protection. Processor protection restrains competition, which depresses ex-vessel prices, and this can adversely affect all those who depend directly or indirectly on the harvesting sector for their livelihoods.”

Mirror writer Lauren Valone can be reached via e-mail at fisheries@kodiakdailymirror.com.