(a) When the optimum number of entry permits is less than the number of entry permits outstanding in a fishery, the commission may establish a buy-back program, a buy-back plan, and a buy-back fund for that fishery.
(b) The commission may establish by regulation a permit buy-back assessment for each fishery for which the commission has established a buy-back fund under (a) of this section. The amount of the assessment may not exceed seven percent of the value, as defined in AS 43.75.290, of fish that a permit holder in the fishery subject to the assessment removes from the state or transfers to a buyer in the state. The Department of Revenue shall collect an assessment established under this subsection.
(c) The commission shall expend money appropriated to a buy-back fund for the purpose of reducing the number of entry permits in the fishery to the optimum number, at a rate to be established by the commission. The legislature may appropriate interest accrued on the money in a buy-back fund to that fund. Except as provided in AS 16.43.320, money appropriated to a buy-back fund does not lapse.
Structure Alaska Statutes
Chapter 43. Regulation of Entry into Alaska Commercial Fisheries
Article 4. Reduction to Optimum Number of Entry Permits.
Sec. 16.43.290. Optimum number of entry permits.
Sec. 16.43.300. Revisions of optimum number of entry permits.
Sec. 16.43.310. Establishment of buy-back funds and permit buy-back assessments.
Sec. 16.43.320. Administration of the buy-back program.
Sec. 16.43.330. Issuance of new entry permits; appropriations related to fleet reduction.