Currently, freshwater and saltwater guides are required to register with Fish and Game, but only saltwater guides are required to report their catch information and licenses are free.
Although many guides already have insurance, know first aid and have fishing licenses, none of these items are required by the state to obtain a guide license.
House Bill 452, sponsored by Anchorage Rep. Cheryll Heinze, and signed into law by Gov. Frank Murkowski in June, was drafted to establish these requirements and give Fish and Game more information as to where and how many fish are caught by sport fish guiding operations.
Tyler Meinhold, owner/operator of Alaska Salmon Connection a sport fishing guide service based out of Homer, said the new regulations are a mixed bag.
"For freshwater (Fish and Game) only has the catch report. It's pretty ambiguous and not real accurate. As long as it's not misused, it's a good idea."
Meinhold said the new fees, however $50 for a guide license and $100 for an operator or operator-guide license might be a little steep.
"If the licensing helps to legitimize the fishing industry then knock yourself out. But I don't like the idea of having to pay extra."
Fish and Game managers are now drafting regulations and meeting with the public throughout Southcentral Alaska to incorporate their comments into the program. Fish and Game is hopeful these new regulations will be addressed by the Alaska Board of Fisheries during its meeting Nov. 11 in Anchorage.
The meeting will be held in Homer Friday at 5 p.m. at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center Fish and Game Commissioner Kevin C. Duffy said earlier this summer that he welcomed the bill.
"This industry provides significant economic benefits to Alaskans by creating jobs and bringing tourism dollars into Alaska's communities," Duffy said. "This bill will enhance this industry and increase the benefits that it provides to Alaskans, tourists, and the state's economy."
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
Fish and Game Director of Sport Fish Kelly Hepler said the bill also will establish reporting requirements, something that has been lacking under current guidelines.
"With better information on where, when, and to what extent sport fish guides operate, ADF&G will be better able to effectively and efficiently manage Alaska's resources for sustained yield and ensure that the industry is regulated fairly," said Hepler. "This information will be used to adopt regulations based on accurate information on guiding activities and to ensure that stocks are managed for sustained yield."
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
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