Law provides fishing opportunities for young Alaskans

Borough warning sparks debate over adult entertainment

By DANIEL SPOTH/Frontiersman reporter

JUNEAU -- Last Wednesday, Gov. Frank Murkowski signed House Bill 98 into law. The bill will expand fishing access, especially in urban areas, to Alaska residents under the age of 16.

"It is important that we continue to foster a love of nature and the outdoors in Alaska's next generation and help teach the importance of maintaining a sustainable fishery," Murkowski said.

Rep. Ralph Samuels of Anchorage said the bill would primarily benefit rivers and streams within existing urban areas, such as Campbell Creek in Anchorage -- rivers that may not be able to handle open fishing, but could support recreational fishing by younger enthusiasts.

"A small run of king salmon in the creek would not support an open season, but it might be ideal for a restricted season, open only to those 16 and younger," Samuels said.

The new bill is beneficial for the Board of Fish, which regulates fisheries across the state. Allowing youths sole access to certain fishing areas could allow the board to manage all its fisheries with more flexibility. Since fisheries open only to youths would experience less impact than those serving a larger section of the populace, the board could shuffle the low-impact and high-impact age groups around to different areas, achieving a more even distribution of fish harvesting state-wide. The specifics of managing these restricted fisheries are left to the board itself; however, the bill's text stipulates that these fisheries and seasons shall be subject to all of the existing rules of conservation and development already imposed on all Alaskan anglers.

The board will also have the authority to determine dates and times when individual areas will be open to youth fishing.

Though the board stands to increase the width and breadth of its resource management through the bill, this legislation also benefits citizens in general by encouraging fishing and outdoor recreation among younger Alaskans.

"Fishing gives children an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate nature while getting fresh air and exercise," wrote Samuels in a statement endorsing the bill. "House Bill 98 will encourage healthy outdoor activity for Alaska's youth by expanding fishing access."

There is a similar statute to HB 98 already on the books for the Board of Game. This statute allows the board to establish restricted youth hunts in certain areas of the state. This rule permits young hunters, where approved by the board, to take advantage of areas often closed to adults. HB 98 will extend this system to Alaska's waterways.

The bill goes into effect immediately, permitting the board to designate youth fisheries for use this coming summer. It is sponsored by Representatives Samuels, Kelly Wolf, Nancy Dahlstrom, Beth Kerttula, Kevin Meyer, Albert Kookesh, Bob Lynn, Dan Ogg, and Carl Morgan and endorsed by the Board of Fish.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.