The Alaska Board of Fisheries rejected a proposal Saturday to cut pink and chum salmon hatchery production by 25% statewide, voting 6-1 against the measure after hours of debate over scientific uncertainty and economic impacts on coastal communities.

The proposal, submitted by Virgil Umpenhour of the Fairbanks Region Fish & Game Advisory Committee, would have reduced permitted egg take levels at 11 hatcheries producing pink salmon and 15 hatcheries producing chum salmon across Alaska. Only board member John Chamberlain supported the reduction. Board member Stan Zuray, who had supported a similar proposal in a prior meeting, voted against this measure.

Phillip Pryor, Aquaculture Section Chief for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, told the board that a 25% reduction could result in a similar percentage reduction in the annual ex-vessel value of the commercial salmon fishery. The department opposed the proposal, saying it would continue to monitor the hatchery program and take steps to address concerns if compelling evidence emerges that amendments would measurably reduce identified adverse effects on wild salmon.

Board members expressed frustration with the lack of definitive scientific answers about hatchery impacts on wild stocks. When Chamberlain asked whether the department could conclusively state that current hatchery release levels have no adverse effect on wild stocks, officials acknowledged they could not prove that negative.

The debate centered on competing concerns: protecting wild salmon stocks versus maintaining economic opportunities for small boat fishermen. Several board members noted that hatchery production has enabled young fishermen to enter the industry by providing reliable harvest opportunities.

One board member opposed any cut, saying the board does not have a really good idea on what the benefit of that cut will be.

Department officials also argued that concentrating harvest around hatchery terminal areas actually reduces pressure on wild stocks. When the fleet concentrates in terminal areas harvesting hatchery fish, that reduces harvest pressure on wild stocks, a department representative said.

Board members also questioned why the department has not established acceptable stray rates for hatchery fish into wild streams, despite this being raised as a concern for years. Department officials said stray rates vary by location and species, with some areas showing rates between 5% and 15% for pink salmon.

The commissioner committed to extending the existing moratorium on new hatchery production and working with Regional Planning Teams to address ongoing concerns.

The board also rejected two related proposals: one specific to Prince William Sound and another establishing a statewide moratorium on new production. However, the board voted 4-3 to direct the commissioner to work with Regional Planning Teams on a 10-year extension of the current moratorium, with a report due by the October work session. One board member expressed concern about the moratorium approach, saying the legislature did not intend to give the Board of Fisheries power to put a moratorium in place to basically usurp the commissioner's power.