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Juneau Assembly adopts resolution opposing Board of Fisheries Proposal 156, 7-1
Summary
The Juneau City and Borough Assembly adopted Resolution 3088 on Jan. 6, 2025 opposing Proposal 156 before the Alaska Board of Fisheries after public testimony from local hatchery leaders and a last-minute amendment to remove an asserted finding about scientific data.
The Juneau City and Borough Assembly on Jan. 6, 2025 adopted Resolution 3088 opposing Proposal 156 before the Alaska Board of Fisheries, which would cut permitted pink and chum salmon hatchery egg take levels by 25%. The motion passed 7-1.
Assembly manager staff told the assembly that Proposal 156 "will directly impact Juneau and Southeast Alaska by reducing hatchery permitted pink and chum salmon egg take levels by 25%." The manager said that in 2024 hatcheries contributed "approximately 34,000,000 of the estimated 75,000,000 commercial harvest value to Southeast Alaska's economy," and that 86% of that hatchery contribution was chum salmon.
The resolution drew public testimony from Katie Harms, executive director of DIPAC (Douglas Island Pink and Chum), who thanked the assembly for taking up the issue and said she was available for questions. Harms warned that a 25% reduction in chum salmon production "would lead to a likelihood of, potential for, these two seafood processors in town to be able unable to operate year round," and that such a result could cause "significant loss in landing tax for the City and Borough of Juneau" and harm residents who rely on salmon for livelihoods, subsistence and cultural uses.
Assembly debate focused on whether the municipal body should formally weigh in on a statewide regulatory proposal. Assembly member Candis said she reviewed recent scientific literature and opposed adopting the resolution, arguing the Board of Fish is best positioned to weigh the science. Assembly member Wall — who identified herself during debate as a fish biologist — moved to remove a whereas clause that stated "the current data on hatchery impact on wild salmon populations remains inconclusive and does not substantiate the drastic cuts proposed by proposal 156." The assembly adopted Wall's amendment by unanimous consent before the final vote.
After the amendment, the roll-call vote produced seven yes votes and one no, and the clerk announced "Motion passes 7 to 1." The assembly did not adopt any further restrictions or directives to staff related to the resolution; the action recorded in the minutes is the assembly's formal adoption of Resolution 3088 opposing Proposal 156.
Assembly members and staff indicated the vote does not prevent the Board of Fisheries from taking up Proposal 156, but reflects the assembly's position in state-level deliberations.
