1981-84 Objecting To The Elimination Of The Kodiak National Marine Fisheries Service Office.-, 1 O 7 „
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGI,
RESOLUTION NO. 81 -84 -R
A RESOLUTION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY OBJECTING TO THE
ELIMINATION OF THE KODIAK NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE OFFICE.
WHEREAS, Kodiak's primary economic base is dependent on fisheries
related activities, including fishing and fish utilization and processing; and
WHEREAS, fisheries research is of vital importance to the extended
life and productivity of Kodiak, as well as the entire Northwest and Alaska
fisheries resources; and
WHEREAS, the current state of the King crab resources are creating
a concern in the area of utilization and fish processing and indicate a
definite need for more research to be accomplished; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak National Marine Fisheries Service, the only federal
research facility in Alaska studying King crab and Tanner crab stocks; and
WHEREAS, the United States Government proposes to cut the Federal
National Marine Fisheries budget nation -wide by $18.6 million, of which a
disproportionate share of $10.4 million is proposed to be cut in the Northwest
and Alaska, requiring the Seattle National Marine Fisheries Service to reduce
their budget by $1.8 million, thereby eliminating the Kodiak National Marine
Fisheries Program representing a cost cut estimated to be $260,000; and
WHEREAS, by eliminating the Kodiak National Marine Fisheries Service,
a disproportionate hardship is incurred by the Kodiak community as well as
elimination of the work in the area of utilization research, which includes
working with industry to allow the very best product to be developed for the
consumer; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak community feels strongly that cuts in other areas
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAH) could be made
without any detriment to ongoing research projects, such as the new $11 million
' fisheries research building at the Northwest NOAA Center in Sand Point,
Washington; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak National Marine Fisheries Program and Office have
contributed greatly to the economic well -being of the fishing community through
their research efforts and planning guidance, not to mention the assistance
provided by the staff members of the National Marine Fisheries Service; and
WHEREAS, the United States Government has a constitutional and moral
obligation to be concerned with rational conservation and management of
1 natural resources while providing for the sound development of the fisheries
11 , 1
industry.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly
that the Kodiak community hereby adamantly objects to the elimination of the
National Marine Fisheries Service Office in Kodiak as the elimination will have
direct detrimental effect on ongoing research projects affecting the Kodiak
fisheries, as well as creating adverse impacts on fisheries throughout Alaska
and the North Pacific.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly that the
Borough Administration be directed to send copies of this resolution to the:
Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States;
Honorable Jay S. Hammond, Governor of the State of Alaska;
Honorable Ted Stevens and Honorable Frank Murkowski, U. S. Senators;
Honorable Donald Young, U. S. Representive;
as well as
ATTEST:
I i i B
Borough Clkrk
Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary, Department of Commerce;
William Stevenson, Acting Assistant Administrator, National
Marine Fisheries Service; and
Dr. Bill Aron, Director, Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center,
imploring them to reconsider the elimination of the Kodiak National Marine
Fisheries Service Office.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of November , 1981.
KODIAK Ii, D BOROUGH
By
Borough Mayor