Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 2

Page 2, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Tuesday, February 18,1992 -LETTERS TO THE EDITOR-- Proud Tribute Dear. Editor: The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood should be proud of the memorial service for Patrick Paul last Friday (Feb. 14) in the ANB Hall. There was standing room only and there were many standing. The singing of the four ladies who more or less opened the program gave me chills beautiful, harmonious and on key, and a fine piano accompaniment completed the enrichment.

The service was well organized, professional and above all gave forth the strong feeling of solidarity among the members as well as being a fitting tribute to Patrick Paul. What a support group is the ANB-ANS combination! One could feel the warmth, sympathy and tribal bonds of the members. Sometimes ritual can be mechanical and a matter of role. Not so in this instance. Led by the Grand Camp, this ritual added color and meaning to the entire ceremony and was done with reverence.

I felt privileged to be one of the audience. Warren C. Christiansen, Sitka King Salmon Dear Editor: We who depend upon Alaska's salmon and other fish species for our recreation livelihood appear to be headed for an inevitable battle. On the surface, it appears that this battle is between the oldtimers (the troll fleet) and the newcomers (the charter boat operators). But beneath the surface, the-water becomes muddy.

I believe that ALL of the user groups need to consider the issue allocation of a portion of the king salmon quota specifically to the troll industry. This topic will be the sole agenda item of the Alaska Baord of Fish in an upcoming March meeting. I encourage you to write your Alaska Fish Board and voice your concern. I have been a commercial fisherman for 25 years, a power trailer for the past 14 years and an educator in technology at Ketchikan School for the past 12 years. students, friends, as well as my- will be affected by the outcome of this issue.

The basic problem is simply that a finite resource is being utilized by ever increasing, evolving and user groups. In a nutshell the number of charter vessels has increased many fold while the number offish in the sea has remained relatively static. The solution at first glance appears complex arid divisive. Let the strongest survive! There are several issues which need to "be A) commercial versus sport status, B) statutory guidelines in determining stock allocation and C) unfair treatment in. the U.S salmon treaty annexes.

1 status: Most charter vessel skippers contend that they are not commercial operators but rather are persons simply providing a platform from which a sport fisherman may operate. The crucial factor involved is whether the operator makes a livelihood at a particular activity, i.e. fishing. This is the only logical determiner in the designation problem. most charter vessel operators are endeavoring to make a livelihood, then it follows that, for them at least, must be a commercial venture.

Whether or not we determine that charter vessels are indeed commercial in nature, we must recognize them as the largest growing segment of the user groups and one which is not currently regulated. Therefore, it would follow that we must divide the allowable-catch pie into yet another slice. Statutory guidelines for allocation: statutory guidelines for fish allocation place historic use and economic value as the key elements in the allocation question. In assessing these factors we might consider them separately. Historically there can be little question about "who is the new kid on the block." Over the past 10 years the number of persons licensed by the Coast Guard, as well as the number of vessels licensed by the state for charter purposes, has increased many fold.

Alaska today issues many more nonresident licenses than ever before. A "walk of the dock" in Ketchikan will quickly impress one with the sudden increase in charter boats. Local sport- fishers are finding their favorite "fish'n hole" full to overflowing with charter boats from "somewhere," whereas only a few short years ago these same areas could have been fished in solitude. There truly can be no doubt as to why the equation has changed. There ARE MORE CHARTER BOATS.

True sports fishing boats and commercial trailers have by way of contrast, operated SJE. Alaskan waters since before the advent of the gas engine. Since 1973, commercial vessel numbers have been set by limited entry. Resident (true sports?) licenses, while increasing some, have not exploded in the same manner as non-resident (charter). There can be little doubt as to which fishery should have an allocation if such a decision were based solely upon historical use true sports and commercial troll.

(These groups have fished side by side for years without problems). The economic value consideration is more complex to unravel. ADFG recently undertook a study to determine the value of a "sport-caught" fish. I think a better term might be "a fish caught under the auspices of a sport license." King salmon were valued at over $900 each. Silvers over $400.

These dollar figures are certainly impressive. They must include not only the surface and guide, by also air fare, lodging, food, gear and entertainment for those traveling to Alaska in search of a fishing vacation. The troll fleet, on the other hand, can quote facts such as the McDowell report which stated that trolling is the single largest employer in Southeast Alaska. Or the UAS Economic Development Data Base which indicates that the total value for the salmon industry is $124 million (1988) while ail tourism is only $94 million. It is, however, impossible to compare apples and oranges.

For example, what is the true value of a king salmon sold by a power trailer for $70, if you also include in its value the costs enumerated above? and I live here year- around. Do you count my full year's food, lodging, gear, fuel and repair purchases, etc? Do you count the myriad support industries, i.e. fish processing, transportation, fabrication, chandlery, repair and retail jobs? Or consider the infamous $900 king salmon. Wasn't most of that money really spent for the VACATION? These folks are really purchasing a vacation, and secondarily hoping to some fish. They probably would spend that money, fish or no, on a vacation in one way or another.

I think that jperhaps we need to look past all- of these arguments which would separate us.and instead return to the basic statutory allocation guidelines for a fresh point of view. Economic What would maximize the economic value of this resource to Southeast Alaska. There can only be one true answer to this; question Keep all these fisheries groups operating with as little loss as 'possible. "Pie in the sky thinking!" you say? I think not. Solution? 1) Establish a ceiling on the number of charter vessels so that current operators can continue to operate.

Trailers and others who make their livelihood from this resource did so years ago for all the same reasons. 2) Establish an allocation system of ALL SALMON, HALIBUT, BOTTOM FISH, etc. based upon historical use percentages so that net, commercial troll or sports and charter all have a percentage from to plan and work. Establish these allocations now in all fisheries before they become a problem like the Jang salmon problem. 3) Utilize fish bag and possession limits rather than season lengths possible'in limiting? sport "and spdrt7charter'flsh quotas, thos'al- lowing these vessels to continue to operate for as many days as possible.

4) Lobby vigorously for increased allocations in the U.S Salmon Treaty or get us out. We Alaskans have made major, cutbacks in our fish takes while other treaty entities have not 5) Broaden the base of support for the Regional Aquaculture Associations so that all user groups, not just the commercial boats, put in 3 percent of their catch value to maintain important fish sources. With these simple guidelines, all user groups in question could continue to successfully utilize Southeast's great resource. True sports fishers would know they would not be absolutely crowded off the surface of the sea. Charter vessel operators would know that they could plan on fishing throughout the entire season, and commercial trailers would be able to continue to feed their awaiting hungry public.

We should be able to maximize the economic value of this tremendous resource for all of Southeast Alaskans as well as the sport fishermen and consumers of commercially-caught fish who live elsewhere. Please, write and urge the Fish and Game Board to adopt a sensible solution to this problem. One which insures an enjoyable and prosperous future for all Alaskans. Choose an option which does not arbitrarily relegate any one user group to the rubbish heap of history. Stephen Kinney Tradition, Ketchikan Special Olympics Dear Editor: Sitka Special Olympics is planning a major fund-raiser.

Since our last fund-raiser in 1988, we have been able to run our programs on those funds and other local contributions. The local chapter appreciates the generosity of the community of Sitka. Now our funds are nearly depleted, and we once again need to raise more money for this athletic program for persons affected by mental retardation. This will be an opportunity for persons to donate locally and support the local Special Olympics program. All funds that we raise stay right here in Sitka and benefit athletes from our local community.

On April 15, with the help of the Elks Lodge, Emblem Club and local businesses and indivdiuals we will hold a dinner-auction. Special Olympics volunteers have begun soliciting items for the auction. Any business or individual who is not contacted and would like to donate items for auction, please call 747-8221 or 747-8750. Vickie Slade Sitka Special Olympics Breast Implant Risks Graver Than Thought? On the Issues: BETHESDA, Md. (AP) Siiicone gel breast implants may break open and spill into the body more often than previously thought, the Food and Drug Administration said today.

The FDA also said it had new information that may indicate a link between siiicone gel in the body and autoimmune diseases. hearings today on the safety of the implants, the FDA raised the possibility that perhaps women with the devices should get routine mammograms to determine whether the implants are leaking. The FDA imposed a moratorium on siiicone gel implants following allegations they are unsafe. A panel of expert advisers is hearing testimony for three days from the FDA, manufacturers, surgeons and consumer groups. On Thursday, it will present the FDA with its recommendations.

Although there is new information of a possible link between leaking implants and autoimmune disease, FDA officials said, it is inconclusive. should stress that do not prove a link between the implants and autoimmune problems," F. Alan Andersen, director of the FDA's office of science and technology, told the panel. "But increasing reports of such cases may well be a bellwether of an important clinical problem." Andersen asked the panel to con- 1 sider whether women with implants should receive routine mammograms to determine whether the devices have broken open. In some women with this problem, there are no symptoms, the question is whether the risks of increased exposure to radiation from mammograms are outweighed by the risks of spilled siiicone gel in the body.

Even in implants that don't break siiicone gel can "bleed" out of the plastic coating that encloses the implant. "One of the things that concerns me most is that these implants may rupture, leak, or bleed more frequently that we had originally thought," FDA Commissioner David Kessler told the panel. However, Kessler said no firm fig- ure format has been established. The implants have been around for decades, and a million women carry them inside their because of reconstructive surgery after cancer or because they wanted larger breasts. Legi Votes inNewHamp DDCVILLE NOTCH, N.H.

(AP) --Libertarian presidential candidate Andre Marrou, known for railing against big government and supporting the legalization; of drugs during his one terrn in the Alaska House, swept 11 of votes cast in New Hampshire's presidential primary in this tiny hamlet Marrou said he spent most of his month of campaigning in New Hampshire trying to be heard. The voters of Dixville Notch apparently heard him, giving him the lion's share of the votes cast shortly after midnight in the first returns in the nation's leadoff presidential primary. Marrou, 53, a Las Vegas real estate agent, was among tfie 12 of the 62 candidates who campaigned in Dixville Notch in the 1992 primary. Of the major candidates, only Patrick Buchanan visited the community. Buchanan received 3 votes, while George Bush had 9.

"They heard our Libertarian message, that, is best: wrfichl governs least We seek to return to constitutional government, which has been eroding since That the federal'income tax and the Federal Reserve banking system were 'established, institutions Marrou claims, "have; taken over Americans'lives." A key plank in the Libertarian platform is abolishment of the federal income tax and the Internal Revenue System. Marrou said his campaign spent about $30,000 in New Hampshire, mostly on television and radio ads. Here is a thumbnail sketch of Marrou: BORN: Dec. 4, 1938, Nixon, EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. CAREER: Engineer in Boston area, 1956-73; Wholesale restaurant supply Anchorage, Alaska, 197476; Alaska state legislator 1985-87; real estate in.

Nevada and Alaska, vice.presi- 'dehtial PERSONAL: Marrou is single Oil Prices Take Tumble After OPEC Cuts Flow Only Slightly C5 NEW YORK (AP) Oil prices plunged about $1 per barrel today (Tuesday) as UIS. traders decided OPEC had not made deep enough cuts in its surging production. Light sweet crude oil for delivery in March was down $1:11 per barrel, at SI8.35; around midday at the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed late Saturday to cut 1.2 million barrels of daily production for the spring, when worldwide demand for oil falls for seasonal reasons. Traders had been anticipating the cartel might make cuts of 1.5 million to 2 million barrels a day, in an effort to prop up prices.

When it became clear that would not happen, oil prices fell 88 cents a barrel in London on Monday, when U.S. markets were closed because of the Presidents Day holiday. Oil kept falling today in London, and prices tumbled in New York to DAILY SITKA SENTINEL Thad Poulson Managing Editor. Published by Verstovia Corporation, wholly owned in Sitka, daily except Saturday and Sunday at 112 Barracks Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835. Mail address: Box 799.

Subscription rates: Three months $25 Six months $45 One year $75 Inquire for mailed rates. National ad Inc. Member of The Associated Press. Second class mail. Postage paid at Sitka, Alaska.

USPS 146-160 Phone (907) 747-3219. Send address changes to Daily Sitka Sentinel, Box 799, Sitka, Alaska 99835. catch up with the earlier drop overseas. With about four hours left to trade today at London's International Petroleum Exchange, North Sea Brent Blend crude oil for delivery in April was down an additional 18 cents, at $17.37 per barrel. OPEG was unable to make cuts as big as some members would have liked, because Saudi Arabia insisted on maintaining most of the huge market share it gained after it began pumping to capacity in the wake of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.

"That doesn't bode well for the cartel in the near future," said Thomas P. Blakeslee, an energy analyst at Pegasus Econometric Group in Hoboken, NJ. The price of oil had recently inched to its highest level of the new year as some traders anticipated that OPEC might cut enough output to raise the price during the second quarter. When those traders turned out to be wrong, a massive sell-off began. Home heating oil and gasoline futures also fell sharply, although the drop was not as steep as crude oil's slide.

OPEC policies regarding production impact Alaska, where oil taxes and royalties feed about 85 percent of the state's treasury. Each $1 drop in the per-barrel price of oil over a year costs Alaska about SI50 million in revenues, oil analysts say. Top Japanese Earn Much Less Than U.S. Execs TOKYO (AP) Presidents of large Japanese companies earn about a third of what their counterparts in the United States do, a private research group reported Tuesday. The report said average compensation for presidents of Japanese companies with more than $78 million in capital was $375,000, well below the $1.2 million paid to presidents of comparably-sized American companies.

The results of the survey by the Wage and Salary Administration Research Institute were carried in the Japanese media Tuesday. The survey found that the overall average compensation for Japanese company presidents was $203,000 per year, including bonuses. It did not give a comparable figure for the presidents of American companies. EDITOR'S NOTE The Associated Press asks the major presidential candidates a question each weekday about their views on a particular issue and assembles their responses. WASHINGTON (AP) Here are the views of the major presidential candidates on the question: "Should the licensing process for nuclear power plants be streamlined to allow quicker construction, of new DEMOCRATS --Jerry Brown: A spokesman said Brown opposes construction of any new nuclear facilities.

--Bill Clintbn: A spokeswoman said Clinton opposes construction of new nuclear facilities. "We need a new energy policy to lower the trade deficit, increase productivity and improve the environment. We must rely less on imported oil and nuclear energy and more on cheap and abundant gas as a transition fuel to renewable energy resources," said Clinton. --Tom Harkin: "No, we do not need to speed up licensing, because we do riot need and cannot afford more nuclear power, either in terms of its financial cost or the environmental cost of radioactive waste disposal and plant decommissioning. Conservation, energy efficiency improvements, and increased use of renewable energyand natural 'gas can provide the energy needed for new economic growth at lower cost and with less environmen- tal degradation." --Bob Kerrey: "No.

I do not.be- lieve constructing nuclear power plants is the path toward energy independence especially in light of the nuclear industry's historic unaccountability and poor economic record. Instead, we need a comprehensive energy strategy that emphasizes energy efficiency, and development in and reformed federal decision making." --Paul Tsongas: (from Sunday night's Democratic debate) "My energy policy is very clear. Maximized conservation maximized renew- ables. So for me nuclear is part of the last tier, but it will be part of the process until we get into a position where renewables and long-term fusion fill the bill. When Seabrook (nuclear plant in New Hampshire) was being built, one of the five of us (Democratic candidates) said it was the wrong it was me." REPUBLICANS --George Bush: Bush supports expanded use of nuclear power.

His national energy strategy calls nuclear power "a plus for 'energy security' because it does not rely'on fuel whose supply is threatened by depletion or cutoff." Bush has sought to reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process to "reduce the lead time and financial risk associated with building nuclear power plants." The key to the reforms is resolving safety questions before plant construction begins. --Patrick Buchanan: Yes. --David Duke: "Yes, but no shortcuts should be taken on ----Death--------- Walter A. Singer LOS ALTOS, Calif. (AP) Walter A.

community leader whose struggle with AIDS was shown in an award-winning documentary, died Sunday at age 68. Singer, who contracted the disease through a blood transfusion during heart surgery in 1984, announced to his Rotary Club that he had the HTV virus. He persuaded a local school district to offer an AIDS curriculum even though public sentiment running against. it and he lectured Rotary groups about the WEATHER 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sitka Forecast Partly cloudy tonight and Wednesday. Windy in exposed locations with gusty, northeast winds to 30 mph.

Low in the mid 20s. High near 30. Sitka Weather Temperatures ranged from 33 to 38 degrees and no precipitation was measured the 24 hours ending last night, reports Sitka Plight" Service Station. Snow depth was at 4 inches at 8:30 a.m. today.

The barometer was at 29.72 and rising. Sunup today was at 7:22 a.m. and sunset will be at 5:09 p.m. Alaska Temps High Low Prc 13 02 000 40 31 o'o9 Barrow.dear -28 -30 0.00 Bethel, windy 05 -2. 000 -7 -18 0.00 ColdBay 39 34 QJ Cordova.dear-.

25 0.00 Dillingham.missing 21 -1 0.00 Fairbanks.clear -18 -32 -1 -27 0.00 Homer.dear '22 04 0.00 29 18 0.00 09 -14 0.00 01 -11 0.00 29 23 0.00 Koizebuejair 3 7 QiOO McGrath.dear 01 -20 07 06 -14 -17 0.00 -32 -39 St.Paul,cloudy 39 35 20 10 38 31 13 QI 22 11 31 13 High, 42, at Dutch Harbor. Low 43 beiow, at UmlaL Alaska Summary Alaska was mostly dry and cold today with a few traces of precipitation confined to ihe lower Panhandle, the western edge of the Alaska Peninsula and the PribDof Islands. A massive high pressure system was covering much of Alaska and the Yukon. The center of this hugs high was located over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in extreme Northeast Alaska. Low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska continued to weaken as it drifted southeastward.

A strong weather system in the western Bering Sea was being blocked by high pressure over Alaska. Strong, gusty winds continued over portions of northern Prince William Sound and along some sections of the Gulf Coast as well as through passes of the Chugach Range. Skies were clear over most of Alaska early today although clouds blanketed Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula and St. Paul Island in the Pibilofs. Nation's Weather Fairbante, Alaska, lived up to its name this momingi among only a handful of regions in the nation that escaped douds and fog.

Hawaii, Arizona and eastern Texas were about the only other regions expecting clear skies today. Rain in the Middle Atlantic states today was expected to spead along the East Coast. Northem New England braced for snow. More rain was forecast today for parts of California, where storms last week caused deadly flooding. The heaviest rainfall, up to 3 inches, was expected in the north along the Oregon line, 400 miles from the communites most seriously flooded.

A snow advisory was posted today for the northern Sierra Nevada in California. Rain was forecast in Oregon and a snow advisory was in effect for the mountains of Oregon and Washington. Snow was expected in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Up to 6 inches of snow fell Monday on parts of northern Minnesota. Tornadoes in Florida caused minor damage Monday near Wewahitchka in Gulf County.

Thunderstorms over northeastern Florida produced high winds that downed power lines and trees near Gainsvflle. Nation's Tenips Temperatures indicate previous day's high and overnight low to 8 a.m. EST. Hi Lo PrcOUk Albany 47 26 cdy Albuquerque 49 27 clr Arnanllo 60 27 clr Anchorage 13 02 clr Asheville 43 38 .18 cdy Atlanta 51 42 .78 cdy AtlanticCity 50 35 .24 Austin 75 52 clr Baltimore 45 37 30 cdy -iBillings --41 cdy Birmingham 52 50 x-34." cdy Bismarck: 31 25 .20 cdy Boise-. 48 35 Boston 53 34 cdy Brownsille 84 64 clr Buffalo, 35 30 sn 42 24 Casper 34 15 36 clr 59 53 .53 cdy Charieston.W.Va.

54 46 .03 cdy 48 41 33 cdy Cheyenne 38 24 clr Chicago 40 35 33 cdy Cincinnati 51 42 .07 cdy Cleveland 42 33 sn 53 45 .39 cdy Columbus.Oruo 47 42 cdy 49 26 Dallas-RWortb. 70 47 cdy Dayton 47 40 .17 cdy Denver 47 23 cdy DesMoines 43 36 .58 cdy Detroit 38 33 sn Duluth 32 30 cdy HPaso 59 31 dr Evansvflle 47 43 ..27 cdy Fairbanks -ig .32 ir FfX 0 37 33 .10 cdy 40 09 cdy GrandRepids 35 33 GreatFalls 45 23 ck 47... 39 10 cdy Hartford 54 31 cdy Helena 43 19 Honolulu 81 73 dr Houston 77 48 ck tadianapolis 48 41 .36 cdy Jackson.Miss. 74 54 ck Jacksonville 79 57 .18 29 18 cdy KansasCiry 50 42 .28 cdy LasVegas 58 42 LutleRock 65 48 .06 ck LosAngeles 65 52 cdy Louisville 55 47 .04 cdy Lubbock 62 26 ck Memphis 60 51 .42 ck MiamiBeach 79 73 Midland-Odessa fig 32 ck 37 33 .14 cdy Mpls-StPaul 38 33 cdy Nashville 55 48 13 NcwOrleans 78 63 .02 ck NewYorkCity 51 37 cdy Norfolk.Va. 47 41 .11 NorthPlaue 4 3 31 .05 dr OklahomaCity 65 42 ck 1 47 35 .30 ck Orlando 55 g2 cdy Philadelphia 51 37 .07 Phoenix 65 48 cdy Pittsburgh 46 39 06 Portland.Maine 49 29 cdy 52 44 .47 Providence 53 32 cdy Raleigh-Durham 50 42 03 cdy RapidQty 32 29 cdy 46 31 Richmond 49 39 Sacramento 55 45 04 54 46 A5 cdy eCity 44 29 cdy TV 3ni 78 46 dr SanDzego 63 56 Cdy SanFranasco 60 51 .01 rn SaauFe 42 ck SlSteMarie 41 vi 016 47 42 .19 rcv rt 74 48 dr SiouxFalh 42 33 .47 wDOfCnC iVl jj rn 78 64 cdy 56 41 .05 ck Tucson 61 10 A jy cuv 5 68 43 dV Washington.D.C.

49 39 .24 cdy Wichita 54 37 --f WQkes-Btrre 46 35 WilmingtonJteL 48 37 .23 cdy TM 2 Extremes High Monday 85 at Orlando, Lakeland, and Homestead, Fla. Low Tuesday 41 it Big Pfney, Wyo. in Indicates missing Information..