A controversial initiative to prohibit certain types of fishing in areas of the state that do not rely heavily on subsistence was rejected by Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell.
At issue is whether Alaska voters should be allowed to prohibit the use of shore gill nets and set nets for fishing in nonsubsistence areas of the state, as a proposed ballot initiative would have done.
Treadwell said in a statement that he followed the advice of the Department of Law, which described the initiative as a possible violation the Alaska Constitution.
“On this initiative we received input from the sponsor, supporters, and opponents, all of which we shared with the attorney general’s office,” Treadwell said. “We have urged the parties to work together with the Board of Fish to address concerns about setnets and fisheries allocations.”
Please watch Channel 2 News and check KTUU.com for updates to this developing story.