(SitNews) - Friday afternoon, Governor Michael Dunleay signed into law the mariculture enhancement legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Ortiz, allowing qualified non-profits to pursue enhancement and/or restoration projects involving shellfish species, including red and blue king crab, sea cucumber, abalone, and razor clams.

Governor Michael Dunleay signs into law the mariculture enhancement legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Ortiz (standing behind Dunleavy) Also pictured: Governor Michael Dunleay signs into law the mariculture enhancement legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Ortiz . Pictured with the governor are Sam Rabung – Director of Division of Commercial Fisheries; Julie Decker – Executive Director of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation; Liz Harpold – Staff to Rep. Dan Ortiz; Ginny Eckert – Director of Alaska Sea Grant; Caroline Hamp  – Staff to Rep. Dan Ortiz Photo Credit: Graham Judson, House Majority Press Office

“I am so excited about the new economic opportunities that Alaska’s coastal communities will have now that HB 41 is law," said Representative Dan Ortiz (I – Ketchikan). "I want to thank the myriad of stakeholders and the public for their engagement in this process over the last six years."

House Bill 41 creates a regulatory framework with which the Department of Fish and Game can manage shellfish enhancement projects, and outlines criteria for the issuance of permits. It sets out stringent safety standards to ensure sustainability and health of existing natural stocks. The Commissioner of Alaska Department of Fish and Game must also make a determination of substantial public benefit before a project can proceed.

In addition, HB 41 allows the Department of Fish and Game to set the application fee for a shellfish enhancement project permit and grants the similar authority over the application fee for a salmon enhancement project permit.

Co-sponsors of the the bill: Representatives Fields, Snyder, Josephson, Story, Hannan, Wool, Vance, Tuck, Stutes
Senators Kiehl, Revak, Stevens, Stedman, Bishop, Holland, Micciche

Edited By: Mary Kauffman, SitNews



Source of News:

Alaska House Coalition
www.akleg.gov

 

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