However, other environmental groups are praising the bill. Environmental Defense, Oceans Alive and Ocean Champions are among several groups supporting HB 21. Ocean Champions states that HB 21 establishes NOAA as an independent agency and creates national standards to govern the use of our oceans.

In addition, their Web site states, Oceans-21 will enhance national oceans governance structure; promote regional, ecosystem-based oceans governance; expand and coordinate programs for ocean science, exploration, and research; and establish an oceans trust fund.

Oceans-21 was introduced by Congressman Sam Farr, a California Democrat who is a co-chair of the bipartisan House Ocean Caucus, made up of over 50 members who represent coastal areas. It would implement key recommendations of the congressionally mandated U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the report of the nonprofit Pew Oceans Commission.

MCA's Benton cited the duplication of efforts set forth in the MSA, re-authorized by Congress just late last year. Instead of enhancing oceans programs, Benton said the proposed new law will only lead to more bureaucracy, conflicting legal mandates, confusion among the public and litigation.

"The revised Magnuson-Stevens Act was a major achievement passed with strong bipartisan support as well as the backing of scientists, fishermen and conservationists," Benton said.

"It included tough provisions to prevent overfishing, strengthen the role of science in fisheries management, improve monitoring and enforcement, and move the nation towards ecosystem-based fisheries management."

Rather than enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our nation's oceans management regimes, MCA says HB 21 would create a new and expanded bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., with a broad, but poorly defined mandate to "restore the health of marine ecosystems."

To accomplish this ill-defined goal, they say, it sets up and funds a new bureaucracy that would compete with the existing management regime.

"The Marine Conservation Alliance questions whether the nation needs a new, expensive bureaucracy," Benton said. "What we need is better coordination of existing management authorities. We can see this sort of coordinated model already working successfully in Alaska."

The recently established Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, developed by Bristol Bay salmon drifters, has elected seven board members.

The three seats reserved for Bristol Bay permit holders from Alaska went to Robert Heyano, of Dillingham, for three years; Chris McDowell, of Juneau, for two years; and Mark Buckley, of Kodiak, for one year. Seats reserved for nonresident permit holders went to Nick Lee, of Seattle, for three years; and Michael LaRussa, of Seattle, for two years.

Seats open to both residents and nonresidents went to Barney Johnson, of Arlington, Wash., for one year; and Buck Gibbons, of Bellingham, Wash., for three years.

RDSAs, authorized by the state, may market and promote the region's seafood, seek improvements to the area's infrastructure, work to raise quality. An RSDA may also conduct market research, education and product development.

In May, 2006, Bristol Bay driftnet permit holders approved a 1 percent assessment on their harvest. That tax was deducted from drifter's fish tickets starting last season. Tax revenues from the drift fleet will start flowing to the BB-RSDA in late 2007. The new RSDA will get about $875,000 this fall from state officials who collected the tax on behalf of the RSDA.

Setnet permit holders rejected participation in the BB-RSDA.

Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978. She also designs and builds gear for the industry. She currently longlines for halibut and gillnets salmon in upper Cook Inlet aboard the F/V Realist. She can be reached at cristy-fry@excite.com.