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NORTHERN ^ <<uil>Nr^ ] SOUTHEAST REGIONAL AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION, IMC. 



^'- ^». alfc^ i03 Moattmry Street SltJca, Almaka 99835 (907) 747-6850 



The Northern Southeaat Regional Aquaculture Association Is a non-profit 

 regional association established for the purpose of enhancing the salnon 

 populations of Northern Southeast Alaska from the Halnes-Skagway area to 

 the south end of Baranof Island. NSRAA was established by the conaaerclal 

 fishermen of Southeast Alaska In response to dwindling salmon stocks and 

 has been continually funded by the fishermen for the ten (10) years It 

 has been In existence^ 



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

 the southeastern 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 ten years we have been In existence, we have 

 become quite proficient and cost effective in salmon enhancement, but It 

 is doubtful that we'll 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. 



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 When lands were withdrawn from the 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 Tongass and placed in a wilderness 

 designation, it was agreed that fisheries enhancement would be an allowable 

 activity in those wilderness areas. Over the years we have discovered 

 that proponents of wilderness areas are trying to say that "fisheries 

 enhancement may be allowed in wilderness areas if it can be proven that 

 we looked at all other non-wilderness areas for comparable opportunities." 

 Having to go out to do additional survey and site evaluation work is 

 extremely expensive and can be very time consuming. We should not have 

 to be burdened with these additional costs. Those additional costs could 

 very well tip the scale on a close economic cost/benefit analysis. If 

 consideration is given to more wilderness areas it should be made very 

 clear that salmon enhancement is allowable - period. If this were not 

 the case, I would oppose further wilderness designations. 



Hatcheries and other enhemcement activities can be constructed and operated 

 in a manner which is unobtrusive to forest and/or wilderness values. The 

 Hidden Falls hatchery operated by our organization is an 80 million egg 

 hatchery capable of producing on the order of 1.8 million adult chum 

 salmon with a total ex-vessel value of approximately 10-12 million dollars 

 annually. Hidden Falls Hatchery can barely be seen from the water where 

 transiting Chatham Straits. 



In summary, it appears to me that a compromise needs to be struck which 

 recognizes the need to: 1) protect fish producing habitat, 2) continue 

 to allow for fishery enhancement both in wilderness areas and the National 

 Forest in general, 3) permanently setting aside certain critical fish 

 producing areas while still providing a fair opportunity to the timber 

 industry to operate. As I stated early in my presentation co-existence 

 is probably the best thing for the Southeast Alaskan economy. 



It would be very difficult to write a letter or sign a check printed on 

 the Bide of a salmon, yet It would be even more difficult to survive on 

 a steady diet of wood pulp. I believe that with some modifications to 

 the present program we can Insure the continued existence and good health 

 of all segments of the Southeast Alaskan econcoy. 



