Over the past two weeks, the Lynn Canal Gillnetters Association has been meeting among themselves and with Representative Bill Thomas to work on a strategy to effectively raise the question of possible mis-management of the Lynn Canal sockeye fishery. The Gillnetters estimate at least 50 boats are homeported in Haines, feeding at least $6 million into the Haines Borough economy. They worry that current management decisions, which allow seiners to scoop up hundreds of thousands of pounds of incoming wild stocks, will lead to the demise of our local run and the collapse of our fishing industry. They will present information to the Borough Assembly and ask for a resolution of support. That would be good, proper, necessary, but when the time comes I also like the idea of showing up in person to speak directly with the decision makers on behalf of Haines fishermen. That would be a valid expense of our 1% sales tax for tourism and economic development!
Although I have long been associated with the fishing fleet, mostly through my children, I am a novice with respect to the regulations and needs of this complex but vital industry. When was a commercial fisherman last seated on the Assembly? Too long ago. If we are serious about a diverse economy in Haines, we will need to be more attentive to our fishing fleet in terms of required physical infrastructure and political advocacy.
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