Pink Salmon Buyout Bill Passed in Alaska Legisature

This just came over the wire, but I can't find more info to it other than Seafood.com.  However, here is a recent article concerning the same issue.

3 million allocated for Southeast seine permits

By Scott Bowlen | Ketchikan Daily News

The Southeast Revitalization Association expects to mail bid packages to the 415 holders of Southeast seine permits today.

Any Southeast seine permit holder interested in selling a permits can submit a bid, according to SRA Manager Rob Zuanich.

"It will be a reverse auction, meaning they can bid whatever amount they want to sell their permit (for)," Zuanich said. "And then we'll accept (bids), starting with the lowest bid, up until we've exhausted the $3 million."

Here is one straight from Representative Charisse Millett on her website.  It looks like the buyback it actually going to happen.  Now, are fisherman willing to sell?

Permit Buyback Program – This bill helps maintain our strong commercial fishing industry. The federal government currently has a program in place to buyback limited entry commercial fishing permits. The voluntary program is self-funded. Fishermen pay back the federal government through a self-imposed tax. I sponsored HB 365 because it puts the last few administrative pieces in place to allow Alaska fishermen to participate in the buyback program.

Seafoodnews.com - Daily Seafood Industry News Service.