1988-64 Supporting State Funding for Observers Aboard Commercial Fishing Vessels.Resolution ,Jo. 88 -64 -R
By:
Introduced:
Adopted:
Mayor Selby
9/15/88
9/15/88
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -64 -R
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE FUNDING FOR
OBSERVERS ABOARD COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Legislature has, for the past two
years, appropriated $200,000 for an observer program onboard groundfish
vessels; and
WHEREAS, this amount allows only 2 to 3 percent of the catch taken
out of the Westward Region to be observed; and
WHEREAS, observers are the only method for gathering information
on bycatch, at sea discards and other information necessary to maintain the
stocks on which coastal communities depend; and
WHEREAS, Alaskan coastal communities are becoming increasingly
dependent on groundfish stocks and increasingly concerned about stock status
and bycatch, groundfish research is an appropriate function for the State of
Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska can only protect its interests if is
has adequate information with which to form its policies; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska can only be effective within the
federal management system if it is actively carrying on its own research and
' formulating its own policies in the interest of its citizens and communities;
and
WHEREAS, an adequate observer effort should cover at least 20$ of
the groundfish catch; and
WHEREAS, training and work as groundfish observers can assist in
educating Alaskan residents in the methods of harvesting groundfish;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kodiak Island Borough
Assembly urges the Governor of Alaska and the Alaska State Legislature to
increase the funding for the state groundfish observer program to $1
million.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State of Alaska make every
effort to train and hire observers from rural and coastal communities in
Alaska.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1988.
Kodiak Island Borough