Kootznoowoo Inc. has turned to the federal government in an attempt to restore salmon numbers for subsistence use by Angoon village residents.
The corporation’s petition was a topic of contention at the recent Southeast Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council meeting in Juneau, held March 21-23.
Peter Naoroz, general manager and president of Kootznoowoo Inc. said the advisory council meeting wasn’t the first time this issue has been aired.
“The Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council was one of the stops we’ve taken along this process that started years ago,” Naoroz said.
Kootznoowoo has tried to convince the state to change its management style of certain marine waters around Admiralty Island, Naoroz said.
“But it wouldn’t happen,” Naoroz said. “We found that the subsistence priority was not being met in Angoon. So the question is what do we do about it?”
According to the Advisory Council’s findings, Kootznoowoo has claimed the state of Alaska interfered with sockeye salmon escapements and subsistence harvests in waters that Angoon residents fish “to such an extent as to result in a failure of the subsistence priority.”
Kootznoowoo turned to the federal government for help.
The corporation is asking U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, to “exert extraterritorial jurisdiction to non-federal marine waters adjacent to Admiralty Island,” according to the corporation’s petition.
“Typically the state manages these waters,” Naoroz said of marine waters near Admiralty Island. However, the federal government has jurisdiction over certain crimes and events wherever they happen, Naoroz said. The Endangered Species Act also provides for federal jurisdiction over anadromous species, such as salmon, he said.
Naoroz said that his corporation’s proposal met pushback from some fishers.
“We’re talking about fish, a sensitive subject,” Naoroz said.
Naoroz said the council’s recommendations move up to the Federal Subsistence Board, which in turn passes a recommendation to Vilsack.
The Regional Advisory Council concluded while it is true commercial fishers catch some salmon in route to areas Angoon subsistence fishers harvest and the annual request for 250 salmon per family is not likely while escapement numbers are being met, "the resolution of ownership of marine waters is not a requirement to address the question of whether there is a meaningful subsistence priority for the harvest of sockeye salmon on Federal public land by the residents of Angoon." State of Alaska cooperation with the Federal Subsistence Program and local communities is required to find an ultimate solution, the council concluded.
For more information visit 1.usa.gov/HgBmlK and 1.usa.gov/HgBstm.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (8)
Add comment"Subsistence crimes"
Whatever happened to the criminal case against State Senator Albert Kookesh?
Is this another ploy for him to ignore state law?
What happened?
The case could not move forward vs Kookesh. The State itself FORGOT to follow it's own laws. When they CHANGED the number of subsistence fish that could be caught they did not hold public hearings. Public hearings are required under the Administrative Procedures Act.
The Tribes need to take strong action to protect our subsistence from extinction by the commercial and sports fisheries. Subsistence gathering only represents three percent of the annual catch, but is clearly the most scrutenized.
On Prince of Wales, our sea cucumbers, and kelp are almost wiped out by commercial harvesting, it IS NOT being managed by the state from extinction.
This is a 'new twist' for an ANCSA corporation to be involved in protecting our subsistence food. It makes sense, it takes moola to 'protect' our food, and the ANCSA corporations are better set financially to join the federally recognized Tribes.
250 salmon a year?
Wow! That seems a little unreasonable, considering we no longer live in the 1700's, and people in Angoon eat pizza, chicken, mac and cheese, and all kinds of other foods. For a family of 4, 250 salmon = 1,000 quarters (a quarter of a salmon, or about a pound or two) = a quarter of a salmon every day and a half for each person in the family.
I love salmon as much as the next person, but a quarter of a salmon every day and a half, all year? I find it hard to believe anyone eats that much salmon on a regular basis in this day and age.
This is just another way for people to catch all the fish they want all the time, no limits, no seasons, and sell it or give it to friends, trade it, etc.
swimmer
Finding it hard to believe has no bearing on reality. We eat a LOT of salmon. It is a great resource for healthy food. 250 salmon for a year is not very un-realistic for a family of 4 even in this day and age. Do you know how fast 1 smoked sockey goes? I've taken 3 full smoked sockeye (6 fillets) to one party and had none left by the end of the get together. We have a large family with many family outings, bdays, etc. and at every one we have salmon. Not everyone spends their hard won dollars on pizza, chicken, mac & cheese and instant gratification. I disagree with your statement that subsistance fishing is "just another way for people to catch all the fish they want all the time, no limits, no seasons, and sell it or give it to friends, trade it, etc." It is invaluble to be able to feed your family without being a slave to the supermarkets and the commercial fishery.
BUT
I do not neccissarily agree with trying to get federal jurisdiction over state waterways either.
Seems very shellfish
250 salmon per year, 20 halibut per day, crab, deer, shellfish...
Seems very shellfish
250 Salmon?
In Bristol Bay all Alaskan families are entitled to subsistence fishing for salmon. They can take what they need--a commercial permit holder,cannery operator or self appointed food czar doesn't get to determine how much they should eat!!