Subsistence Survey
Dear Editor: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence is working with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to administer comprehensive subsistence harvest surveys in Sitka.
The Division of Subsistence is a small branch of ADF&G composed mainly of anthropologists and other social scientists. One of the duties of the Division is to conduct studies on the customary and traditional uses of Alaska’s fish and wildlife, including collecting quantified harvest data from Alaska residents. Such harvest surveys have been conducted in over 200 Alaska communities.
The Alaska Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game apply the information collected to define non-subsistence areas, identify fish stocks and game populations with customary and traditional uses, and establish the amounts reasonably necessary for subsistence for Alaska residents. Federal regulatory agencies also rely on this data to manage subsistence opportunities on federal lands.
During February, staff from ADF&G and STA, working with local research assistants, will be conducting surveys with a random sample of Sitka households. Surveys will cover all aspects of wild resource harvesting activities including those conducted under sport or subsistence regulations, or through removal from commercial fishing.
The last time such a survey was done was in 1996, making data about Sitka residents’ use and harvest of wild resources almost 20 years old. Surveys will be administered door to door. Completing the survey is voluntary. Information requested is confidential and anonymous. We encourage any household that is contacted for this survey to set aside a little time to participate in this valuable activity. We are seeking a broad representation of Sitka, so even households who participate very little in harvesting activities are just as important as those very active households.
Through the documentation of the harvest and use of Alaska’s wild resources, we can help ensure that subsistence opportunities continue to be provided for all of Alaska’s residents.
If you have questions regarding this survey, you can contact ADF&G’s Subsistence Resource Specialist Lauren Sill at 907-465-3617, or STA’s Fisheries Biologist Jessica Gill at 907-747-7168.
Lauren Sill, ADF&G Division of Subsistence, Juneau
Jessica Gill, STA Resource
Protection Department, Sitka
HB 77
Dear Editor: As a community we are lucky to be represented by a politician like Sen. Bert Stedman. Independent thinkers who have the courage to make their own decisions and not blindly follow party allegiances are few and far between. HB 77 is a good example of this.
While I generally favor well-planned and vetted development projects, HB 77 goes too far in restricting public input in DNR permitting. Freedom to speak and comment on how our state is developed is a basic right.
Thanks, Sen. Stedman, for your support.
Bert Bergman, Sitka
