493 



I think the Tongass Reform Bill likewise will be a positive force 

 for cooperation in the future. 



Thank you for the opportunity to testify. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you very much, Mr. Mathison. I am 

 trying to identify Windham Bay on the map. 



Mr. Esquiro. 



STATEMENT OF PETER ESQUIRO, NORTHERN SOUTHEAST 

 REGIONAL AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION, INC. 



Mr. Esquiro. Mr. Chairman, Senator Murkowski, and Senator 

 Burns. I am Peter Esquiro and thank you very much for the oppor- 

 tunity to appear before you. 



I am a native Alaskan, born in Ketchikan. I have spent most of 

 my life, with the exception of a few years to go to school, here in 

 Alaska. I am currently Regional Manager of the Northern South- 

 east Regional Aquaculture Association, which is based here in 

 Sitka. 



The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association is a 

 non profit regional association established for the purpose of en- 

 hancing the salmon populations of Northern Southeast Alaska 

 from the Haines-Skagway area to the south end of Baranof Island. 

 NSRAA was established by the commercial fishermen of Southeast 

 Alaska in response to dwindling salmon stocks and has been con- 

 tinually funded by the fishermen for the 10 years it has been in 

 existence. 



Generally, we favor the concept that co-existence is probably best 

 for the Southeast economy. We do, however, support the need to 

 totally protect certain critical fishery production habitat, as well as 

 implementing procedures for establishing buffer zones along 

 streams and around lakes which produce fish. In the 10 years we 

 have been in existence, we have become quite proficient and cost 

 effective in salmon enhancement, but it is doubtful that we will 

 ever come close to Mother Nature. It is my opinion that, if given 

 the chance. Mother Nature will always produce salmon at a lower 

 cost. 



The NSRAA currently conducts enhancement projects both in 

 the National Forest as well as in wilderness areas. When lands 

 were withdrawn from the general National Forest here on the Ton- 

 gass and placed in a wilderness designation, it was agreed that fish- 

 eries enhancement would be an allowable activity in those wilder- 

 ness areas. I would urge that that remain the same no matter what 

 the outcome of this might be. 



I would suggest to you that hazards, both natural and man made, 

 have no respect for boundaries, whether they be wilderness areas 

 or Tongass and our services could be helpful to either area. 



Being mostly a group of scientists in our organization, we feel 

 that we have a very strong respect for nature. Our business is 

 trying to produce life and produce a means for people to make an 

 income and I urge your full consideration. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you, Mr. Esquiro. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Esquiro follows:] 



