1987-18 Karluk Lake Sockeye RehabilitiationKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 87 -18 -R
A RESOLUTION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SUPPORTING
THE CONTINUANCE OF THE KARLUK LAKE SOCKEYE REHABILITATION PROJECT
OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
WHEREAS, the annual Karluk Lake sockeye run has in the past
produced as high as 4,900,000 fish, and more recently has precipitously
declined to annual runs as low as 400,000 fish; and
WHEREAS, the Karluk Lake sockeye run has contributed to an
annual commercial harvest as high as 2,400,000 fish, and more recently
,has precipitous-/ declined to an annual contribution to the commercial
,harvest of as low as 90,000 fish; and
WHEREAS, it is evident that restricting the commercial fishery
on other salmon species in an attempt to reach historic escapement
levels for Karluk sockeye is unacceptable economically, and most
.probably would not even then yield biologically necessary escapement
levels to rebuild the run; and
WHEREAS, it is evident that a rehabilitation and enhancement
j effort is needed to produce the fry necessary to achieve a realistic
rehabilitation of Karluk sockeye production; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska has contributed thus far in
'excess of $2,000,000 since 1976 pursuing a program to rehabilitate the
!I sockeye run in the Karluk system; and
WHEREAS, as part of this rehabilitation program an incubation
facility has been constructed which has begun the first phases of this
rehabilitation effort, and has met with good success thus far; and
WHEREAS, a continual commitment to continuing this work is
requisite to build the brook stock to a magnitude sufficient to
rehabilitate the tributary systems of Karluk Lake; and
WHEREAS, sockeye salmon command a premium price and are the
preferred salmon species by commercial fishermen and processors; and
WHEREAS, the United Fishermen Marketing Association supports
continuing funding of this project; and
WHEREAS, the elimination of the fish culture work would result
in a loss of past invested capital and operational money; and
WHEREAS, the continuing operation of this project represents a
relatively small allocation of financial and manpower resources when
compared to other enhancement projects in the state; and
WHEREAS, a rehabilitation of the Karluk Lake sockeye run would
contribute substantial benefits to the local and state economies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kodiak Island Borough
Assembly strongly supports the continuance of the Karluk Lake sockeye
rehabilitation project and transmits herewith its desire that the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) consider this project as a top
funding priority for its Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and
Development (FRED) Division budget.
Resolution No. 87 -18 -R
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent
to the Senator for District N, the Representative for House District 27,
the Chairman of the State Senate Resources Committee, the Chairman of
the House Resources Committee, Governor Cowper, and the Executive
Director of United Fishermen of Alaska.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 5th DAY OF MARCH , 1987.
ATTEST:
Boron Jerk
Resolution No. 87 -18 -R
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Borpugh Mayor
4l ding Officer