New Fishing Boundaries Gaining Attention

Kodiak Rep. Alan Austerman is sounding an alarm about a federal initiative to rechart boundaries around Alaska and Kodiak Island that define the three-mile limit for state fisheries.

The issue is gaining attention in Kodiak this week because the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has expressed an intention to begin enforcing the new boundaries for the upcoming state commercial groundfish fishery.

The new lines were mandated in a Coast Guard reauthorization bill two years ago, Austerman said. While the new boundary exists on some 2008 charts of Kodiak Island, not all recent Alaska charts contain the reworked three-mile line.

A press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued Monday said there are major changes in boundaries in the vicinity of Uyak Bay on the west side of Kodiak Island, along with other minor changes around the rest of the island.

Both Austerman and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have stressed the need for commercial fishermen to check with NMFS enforcement, 486-3298, on any question about the boundaries of their fishing grounds.

Brent Cathey, co-owner of the fishing vessel Sumner Strait, said he has 60 pots in the water near Uganik Bay on the west side of Kodiak. When he set the gear at the end of the federal season he thought it was legal. Now he estimates he will have to move 25 pots off fishing grounds he has used the past 13 years.

Cathey estimated that near the mouth of Uyak Bay another three or four boats have been displaced because the new three-mile boundary juts in further there.

Cathey's biggest concern is how secretive the process seems to have been. Others involved in Kodiak's fishing industry agreed.

"You don't just change laws that affect our livelihood without a little planning or giving us a chance to voice our objections," said Thor Olsen, captain and owner of the fishing vessel Viking Star. "We're getting kicked out of our fishing grounds. We've fished there since we were kids.

"This is a blow to smaller boats, local boats. This is a blow to us."

"It's a detriment to Kodiak fishermen," said Pat Pikus, captain and owner of the fishing vessel Polar Star. "We should be grandfathered into traditional fishing grounds. If it takes congressional approval, let's do it.

"When you move someone off one fishing ground, they are going to be overcrowded in other areas."

Austerman's office has been working with Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner Cora Campbell to negotiate a stay of enforcement this year.

However, thus far, Austerman said, fisheries enforcement officials have held to the position that the law is the law and they have an obligation to enforce it.

Austerman's post on his website alanausterman.com called the situation a federal takeover of state waters and said the state will dispute any ticket given to a fisherman for fishing over the new three-mile boundary.

But Austerman also said fishermen shouldn't intentionally put themselves in a position where they will be ticketed, fined, lose their catch and have to appear in court, costing a lot of time and hassle.
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