I have introduced HB 141 to implement a moratorium within the state waters off Alaska similar to the moratorium being implemented by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council affecting the federal waters off Alaska. Without a moratorium implemented in state waters, it is probable that there would be an increase in effort on our state water scallop stocks, as well as on the associated marine habitat, and create an unmanageable fishery.
Scallops are long lived shellfish.
The large scallop meats which bring premium prices come from scallops eight years or older. The Alaska scallop fishery started in 1968. Nineteen east coast scallop vessels came to Alaska and took 1.7 million pounds of scallop meats. The fishery continued at a harvest level of 1.3 million pounds of meats annually until 1973. Catches dropped off sharply after 1973 and fishing ceased in 1978 when scallop beds were depleted.