While I believe our state representative, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, is acting with good intentions regarding the 2016 pink salmon season, I still strongly disagree with her proposal, which includes a 2016 loan payment pardon for state funded fishermen and a federal disaster declaration.
This proposal goes against the natural order of business. If a business can no longer afford a bad fishing season, then a change needs to occur. In my opinion, that change should not be the government stepping in and propping up a business that cannot stand on its own. There are men and women ready to enter the fishing industry. Government interference such as this keeps permits stagnate, creates an artificial value of those permits, and keeps newcomers out. I believe this is wrong and I believe this is a business government bailout.
Thank you,
Renee Darrenkamp
Kodiak