1. (a) The owner or operator of a vessel used in the winter food and bait herring fishery must obtain a permit issued by the commissioner. In the permit, the commissioner shall set the date when the permit holder may begin fishing. The date shall occur during a 14-day period following the issuance of the permit. When setting the date under this subsection, the commissioner shall consider the following:

   1. (1) the anticipated harvest effort in the district;
   2. (2) the guideline harvest level established;
   3. (3) the available tender capacity; and
   4. (4) seasonal bait demand.

2. (b) The permit required under (a) of this section may

   1. (1) establish harvest limits;
   2. (2) specify open fishing areas;
   3. (3) establish reporting requirements; and
   4. (4) set other conditions determined by the commissioner to be necessary for the conservation and management of the resource.

(Eff. 1/29/98, Register 145; am 4/16/2000, Register 154)

Authority: AS 16.05.251