Alaska News

Alaska Senate panel to weigh bill making personal use top fishing priority

JUNEAU -- Lawmakers on Tuesday plan to discuss a bill that would make personal use a priority in managing state fisheries.

The bill, from Republican Sen. Bill Stoltze of Chugiak, would direct the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to prioritize state fisheries for personal use when restrictions are necessary.

That would mean personal use opportunity would be considered more important than commercial or sport fishing if there were concerns about a stock; it would not supersede subsistence fishing opportunity.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday in the Senate State Affairs Committee, which Stoltze chairs.

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