The Bristol Bay commercial salmon fishing can be competitive and fast-paced. Many fishermen in the area support an old-fashioned regulation that they claim can keep competition at bay by restricting the size of vessels.
Commercial drift gillnets must be at least 32 feet long or less in order to fish the bay. And the fleet received an earful at their Alaska Wildlife Troopers earlier this year, an encouragement to ensure their boats are within the limits.
Wildlife trooper Capt. Aaron Frenzel said they fielded more complaints than usual regarding big vessels this year. After the season ended they went to the boat yards at King Salmon and Naknek to check on the situation.
“A large portion of this is under the waterline and we don’t have the ability to see… even when we’re on the water checking vessels” the captain said. “So we started to notice certain areas that seemed to expand.”
These boats were larger than what’s permitted in regulations, so troopers decided to increase awareness within the fleet in advance of the start of. In February the troopers issued an open letter that clarified precisely what’s included in the 32-foot size.
Frenzel stated that they are hoping fishermen will be able to bring their boats into the rules this year. For certain vessels, the additional length is due to equipment designed to increase safety or enhance its qualityfor example, ladders or refrigeration systems to cool seawater. But the troopers won’t be looking for vessels for violations due to the safety or quality of equipment, he explained.
Instead, they’ll focus more on the kind of Frenzel refers to as “performance improving” improvements, such as the hull extension.
“Maybe the vessel is actually 34 feet long, or is equipped with an modification that gives a substantial performance boost for the vessel which is over the limit of length allowed,” he said. “Those are the kind of vessels we’ll be taking a more detailed examine this summer, and determining whether we’ll need to take enforcement action against them.”
Bristol Bay’s 32-foot limit has been the topic of discussion at many Board of Fisheries meetings over the many years. Some fishermen say that bigger vessels could provide safer seasons, better harvests, higher quality and a greater amount of money. However, others argue that they will restrict local fishermen who might have smaller boats and might not be able to purchase to participate in a more competitive fishing industry.
Rep. Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham is one of those who would like to maintain the status the status quo. Edgmon stated that the senator and he. Lyman Hoffman of Bethel visited in conjunction with Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the director of the Department of Public Safety to ensure that there was a follow-up to safeguard the 32-foot limit.
“Myself and Senator will, you know, get to the point in this matter if there was any attempt to get away from the rules,” Edgmon said.
Frenzel stated that people may have began calling out larger boats in the last year as they’ve progressively grown larger; He said one fisherman had said he compared Bristol Bay boats to accordions.
“It was stretched out from time to time until, all of a sudden there were vessels stretched that the flag began to be used by other fishermen” he explained. “And this is what we began studying.”
Frenzel said that the fishing industry has changed significantly over the last 20 years. The newer boats are equipped with equipment that can increase their size.
“The vessels are different now. This means they’re doing things people would not have believed could be possible in the past,” he said. “So I think that having much to do with simply the new equipment that’s being added to it. The new engines, outdrives on them changes things. The regulation did not change.”
It’s not the first time that troopers have gotten involved in the issue.
Tom Glass, a commercial fisherman living in Dillingham stated that troopers broke to the maximum 32 foot limit during the beginning of the 90s, while the man was deckhand. Some fishermen took extreme measures to meet the limit, including cutting the bows of their vessels.
“Some would just shave off a couple of inches and others would cut off around the length of two feet” the man said. “They were all too long by two feet, or maybe even more.”
At one time, Glass said, someone cut off a boat’s nose, and then threw it into the brush in front of where the Alaska Commercial grocery store in Dillingham’s downtown. Dillingham.
“And after a while, there was a large pile in that spot of noses that had been cut off by the vessels. It’s hilarious,” he said, “everybody cutting their noses off in that season.”
Glass reported that certain boats are still in existence Some of the fiberglass craft have caps that are bolted to the bottom with the help of sealants, and aluminum boats are being welded.
This morning, Glass said, he’s satisfied with the 32-foot limitation, though Glass could do with some extra feet in his already crowded engine room.
Troopers say anyone who has any concerns about their boat should contact the post office located in King Salmon at 907-246-3307, Dillingham at 907-842-551, Kodiak at 907-486-4762 or Captain. Aaron Frenzel at 907-334-2501.
