Alaska Wildlife Troopers Fisheries Enforcement

AWT MISSION STATEMENT To protect Alaska's Natural Resources through Wildlife Enforcement Through education, presence, and enforcement action the Division is committed to the following:

Statewide Patrol of Commercial Big Game Services Identification of Illegal Guiding and Transporter Activities Statewide Commercial Fisheries Reduction of Unlawful Harvest and Sales of Wild-Stocks Statewide Sport Fish and Sport Fish Guiding Reduction of Illegal Harvest and Sale of Sport Fish Statewide Game and Trapping Prevention of Waste and Illegal Harvest Boating Safety Reduction of Boating Related Deaths and Injuries Safeguarding Habitat Reduction of Watershed Damage and Non-Compliance of Environmental Permits

A Division within the Department of Public Safety Moved from ADF&G to DPS in 1972 Currently has 97 commissioned positions of which 92 are filled. Divided into five Detachments 37 Posts throughout the state Broke down into Patrol and Investigations Manages the Marine and Aircraft Section Primarily funded with GF JEA funding is received

DPS Other entities within department Highway Safety & Planning Alaska Police Standards Council Violent Crimes Compensation Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crime Lab Public Safety Academy AST and Fire Marshalls

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers Four Budgetary Components 1. Director’s Office Four Persons Provides overall direction and administrative support for the division

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers 2. Enforcement/Wildlife Investigation Unit Primary duty is to patrol the lands and waters of Alaska to enforce fish & game regulations, and investigate violations of those laws. Investigate complex cases/covert operations Patrols are conducted by land, air, and sea

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers A Detachment, Juneau, Southeast Kodiak Juneau Palmer Fairbanks Soldotna B Detachment, Palmer, Anch. / Mat SU C Detachment, Kodiak, Southwest D Detachment, Fairbanks, Interior E Detachment, Soldotna, Kenai / PWS

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers 3. Marine Section Based in Anchorage Marine Vessels from 18’ to 156’ Responsible for maintenance, operation and overall safety of Divisions Vessels

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers 4. Aircraft Section 42 Operational aircraft 24 - Supercubs 2 – Cessna 172s 1 – Cessna – Cessna 185s 1 – Cessna – Piper Saratoga 2 – Cessna 208s 1 – Beechcraft King Air Helicopters

Authority Statutory / Regulatory citations pertaining to AWT authority AS 16 Fish & Game 5AAC Fish & Game 20 AAC Commercial Fishing AS 11 Criminal AS 46 Environment AS 44 State Government AS 02 Aeronautics AS 18 Health & Safety

Alaska Wildlife Troopers AS Enforcement Authority The following persons are peace officers of the state and they shall enforce this title. Employee of F&G designated by the commissioner Police Officer of the State

Alaska Wildlife Troopers AUTHORITY Statutory mission of the division is to protect the State’s fish & game resources by enforcing statutes and regulations that protect them.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers AWT other duties Enforce General Criminal Laws SAR *** High Priority*** Assist AST in their Mission

Fisheries Enforcement Fisheries enforcement is often described as the third leg that supports the three-legged stool of fisheries management. While a great deal of attention is paid to the legs of science and policy, enforcement is often lost in those discussions. The complexity of fisheries enforcement requires applying the intricacies of a vast array of regulations, providing a presence to deter and apprehend violators, and cooperatively litigating the cases within the court system. Enforcement also requires a great deal of public relations building in order to help deter and avoid violations. Sport, commercial, and subsistence fisheries in Alaska are a mix of overlapping (and sometimes conflicting) state and federal jurisdictions and regulations. Commercial fisheries add additional significant levels of complexity in that international relations, regulations, and treaties all play roles in developing enforcement goals, policies, and on- the-water strategies. In fact, the international complexities even extend to some Alaskan sport fisheries (halibut, for example), which are cooperatively state and federally enforced but ultimately regulated pursuant to an international treaty. This session will provide an overview of Alaska fisheries enforcement with the objective of providing a better understanding of how fisheries enforcement along with policy and scientific research support that three-legged stool of fisheries management.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers Laws and regulations are complex and ever changing and different from area to area More of a challenge; have to concentrate on changes Self generated activity, more than AST

How Does AWT Conduct Patrols? AWT partners with the Public, ADF&G, BOF, BOG, DNR, DEC, Revenue, USFWS, NPS, BLM, DHS, and special interest groups on a continuing bases to help steer enforcement programs. Priorities are established. Key problematic areas are targeted, program plans are adopted and implemented. Intensive Management areas are targeted like B/B. Shift personnel/equipment to cover targeted areas. Areas/species can be rotational i.e.... Cover for a year then skip a year. Priority is given to biological concerns.

Relationship to Fish & Game Enforcement is integral part of resource management Insure compliance by resource users Basic understanding resource management F&G Board creates regulations

Fish & Game Boards Purpose of boards are to promulgate regulations as authorized and defined by statute Members are appointed by Governor Members must be confirmed by legislature Terms are staggered Separated into two boards in 1975 Continue to have joint meetings Seven members on each board Any person may submit a proposal

Advisory Committees Established to provide a means of involvement in fish & wildlife issues by local citizens Worth attending Provide direct input, comments and proposals to the boards. 80 committees statewide with members. Boards promulgate regulations under 5 AAC

AWT Goals & Objectives Highest standard of excellence Prevent violations Apprehend commercial violators after the fact Increase citizen involvement through information and education

AWT Goals & Objectives Guidelines Strive for quality vs. quantity (presence is deterrent) Concentrate on serious offenses Encourage common sense and discretion Increase public awareness (put face on enforcement) Involvement in public programs; Special Olympics etc.

AWT Goals & Objectives Relationship with public is crucial Expect Troopers to be knowledgeable about laws they enforce/ don’t break them. Knowledgeable about F&G resources and harvest methods. Work and communicate with user groups. Troopers live in a fish bowl. WE ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD. Do nothing to cause the public to criticize.

AWT Goals & Objectives Future Challenges Declining oil revenue, less funding Increased demand for F&G resources Increased resource users Increased cost of enforcement Need to justify enforcement Increased urban / rural resource conflicts Native sovereignty issues Conflict between Federal and State management

Significant Issues Duel Management User Conflicts and Allocations Growth of Groundfish Fisheries IFQ/CDQ Rationalization Protected Species and/or Areas Court Decisions High Seas Fishing and Processing Invasive Species Introduced Disease Possible Future Fishing off Northern Alaska with Ice Pack Receding Road to Umiat? Road to Nome? Gas Line?

Sport/Comm Fish Data

DATA

END Any Questions?