[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4485-H4486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ALASKA SALMON RESEARCH TASK FORCE ACT
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6651) to establish an Alaska Salmon Research Task Force.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6651
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Salmon Research Task
Force Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to ensure that Pacific salmon trends in Alaska
regarding productivity and abundance are characterized and
that research needs are identified;
(2) to prioritize scientific research needs for Pacific
salmon in Alaska;
(3) to address the increased variability or decline in
Pacific salmon returns in Alaska by creating a coordinated
salmon research strategy; and
(4) to support collaboration and coordination for Pacific
salmon conservation efforts in Alaska.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) salmon are an essential part of Alaska's fisheries,
including subsistence, commercial, and recreational uses, and
there is an urgent need to better understand the freshwater
and marine biology and ecology of salmon, a migratory species
that crosses many borders, and for a coordinated salmon
research strategy to address salmon returns that are in
decline or experiencing increased variability;
(2) salmon are an essential element for the well-being and
health of Alaskans; and
(3) there is a unique relationship for people of Indigenous
heritage who rely on salmon for subsistence and traditional
and cultural practices.
SEC. 4. ALASKA SALMON RESEARCH TASK FORCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in
consultation with the Governor of Alaska, shall convene an
Alaska Salmon Research Task Force (referred to in this
section as the ``Research Task Force'') to--
(1) review existing Pacific salmon research;
(2) identify applied research needed to better understand
the increased variability and declining salmon returns in
some regions of Alaska; and
(3) support sustainable management of salmon in Alaska.
(b) Composition and Appointment.--
(1) In general.--The Research Task Force shall be composed
of not fewer than 13 and not more than 19 members, who shall
be appointed under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Appointment by secretary.--The Secretary of Commerce
shall appoint members to the Research Task Force as follows:
(A) One representative from each of the following:
(i) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who
is knowledgeable about salmon and salmon research efforts
from the Alaska Region.
(ii) The North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
(iii) The United States section of the Pacific Salmon
Commission.
(B) Not less than 2 and not more than 5 representatives
from each of the following categories, at least 1 of whom
shall represent Alaska Natives who possess personal knowledge
of, and direct experience with, subsistence uses in rural
Alaska, to be appointed with due regard to differences in
regional perspectives and experience:
(i) Residents of Alaska who possess personal knowledge of,
and direct experience with, subsistence uses in rural Alaska.
(ii) Alaska fishing industry representatives throughout the
salmon supply chain, including from--
(I) directed commercial fishing;
(II) recreational fishing;
(III) charter fishing;
(IV) seafood processors;
(V) salmon prohibited species catch (bycatch) users; or
(VI) hatcheries.
(C) 5 representatives who are academic experts in salmon
biology, salmon management, salmon ecology (marine and
freshwater), or comprehensive marine research planning in the
North Pacific.
(3) Appointment by the governor of alaska.--The Governor of
Alaska shall appoint to the Research Task Force one
representative from the State of Alaska who is knowledgeable
about the State of Alaska's salmon management and research
efforts.
(c) Duties.--
(1) Review.--The Research Task Force shall--
(A) conduct a review of Pacific salmon science relevant to
understanding and managing salmon returns in Alaska,
including an examination of--
(i) traditional ecological knowledge of salmon populations
and their ecosystems;
(ii) marine carrying capacity and density dependent
constraints, including an examination of interactions with
other salmon species, and with forage base in marine
ecosystems;
(iii) life-cycle and stage-specific mortality;
(iv) genetic sampling and categorization of population
structure within salmon species in Alaska;
(v) methods for predicting run-timing and stock sizes;
(vi) oceanographic models that provide insight into stock
distribution, growth, and survival;
(vii) freshwater, estuarine, and marine processes that
affect survival of smolts;
(viii) climate effects on freshwater and marine habitats;
(ix) predator/prey interactions between salmon and marine
mammals or other predators; and
(x) salmon productivity trends in other regions, both
domestic and international, that put Alaska salmon
populations in a broader geographic context; and
(B) identify scientific research gaps in understanding the
Pacific salmon life-cycle in Alaska.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date the
Research Task Force is convened, the Research Task Force
shall submit to the Secretary of Commerce, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies of the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the
Alaska State Legislature, and make publicly available, a
report--
(A) describing the review conducted under paragraph (1);
and
(B) that includes--
(i) recommendations on filling knowledge gaps that warrant
further scientific inquiry; and
(ii) findings from the reports of work groups submitted
under subsection (d)(2)(C).
(d) Administrative Matters.--
(1) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Research Task
Force shall select a Chair and Vice Chair by vote from among
the members of the Research Task Force.
(2) Work groups.--
(A) In general.--The Research Task Force--
(i) not later than 30 days after the date of the
establishment of the Research Task Force, shall establish a
work group focused specifically on salmon returns in the AYK
(Arctic-Yukon-Kuskoskim) regions of Western Alaska; and
(ii) may establish additional regionally or stock focused
work groups within the Research Task Force, as members
determine appropriate.
(B) Composition.--Each work group established under this
subsection shall--
(i) consist of not less than 5 individuals who--
(I) are knowledgeable about the stock or region under
consideration; and
(II) need not be members of the Research Task Force; and
(ii) be balanced in terms of stakeholder representation,
including commercial, recreational, and subsistence
fisheries, as well as experts in statistical, biological,
economic, social, or other scientific information as relevant
to the work group's focus.
(C) Reports.--Not later than 9 months after the date the
Research Task Force is convened, each work group established
under this subsection shall submit a report with the work
group's findings to the Research Task Force.
(3) Compensation.--Each member of the Research Task Force
shall serve without compensation.
(4) Administrative support.--The Secretary of Commerce
shall provide such administrative support as is necessary for
the Research Task Force and its work groups to carry out
their duties, including support for virtual or in-person
participation and travel expenses.
(e) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Research
Task Force.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
[[Page H4486]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 6651, the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act,
establishes a task force of fisheries scientists and Alaskan
stakeholders to study, address, and prevent salmon fishery disasters in
Alaska.
Led by the late dean of the House, our colleague and friend,
Representative Don Young, this bill is a perfect example of how he
fought for what is best for Alaska.
Salmon are a vital part of the Alaskan way of life. Their cultural,
economic, nutritional, and recreational impact cannot be overstated.
But, over the past decade, there have been several fishery disasters
that have put those very salmon at risk.
These financial, ecological, and cultural strains have created an
increasingly dire situation for the Alaskan communities that rely on
salmon, especially Native Alaskan communities.
This bill creates the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force, a group of
members from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and Alaskan stakeholders, to
ensure that Alaskans are at the forefront of the Alaskan salmon
research efforts taking place in their backyards.
I believe the bill is a fitting tribute to our departed friend. It
elevates Alaskan voices, especially Native Alaskans, and it brings
stakeholders together to build consensus and find a practical solution
to this pressing issue in our 49th State.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to safeguard Alaskan
salmon fisheries for generations to come.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6651, the Alaska Salmon
Research Task Force Act, sponsored by our late colleague, the dean of
the House, Representative Don Young of Alaska.
The day before his passing, Congressman Don Young was in our Natural
Resources Committee room discussing the need for this legislation.
Since 2018 alone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
has issued 14 fisheries disasters determinations in Alaska. This bill
seeks scientific answers and recommendations to solve these declining
salmon runs.
Specifically, the bill would require the Secretary of Commerce, in
consultation with the Governor of Alaska, to create an Alaska Salmon
Research Task Force composed of up to 19 individuals representing
various sectors of the salmon economy and culture.
The intent of the task force is to create a coordinated salmon
research strategy, and support collaboration and coordination in salmon
conservation efforts. The task force must also produce a report and
recommendations within 1 year of convening.
If Mr. Young were here today, I am certain that he would remind us
that salmon are important to Alaskans due to their cultural, economic,
and recreational value. I urge my colleagues to honor the late dean of
the House by supporting this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 6651.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________