1990-20 Supporting Continued Open Access in the Sablefish and Other Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska.By: Jack McFarland
Introduced: 02/15/90
Adopted: 02/15/90
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 90-20
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CONTINUED OPEN ACCESS IN
THE SABLEFISH AND OTHER FISHERIES IN THE EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA
WHEREAS, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is
developing detailed options for implementing a sablefish individual
fishing quota (IFQ) system, and is also considering a moratorium
on entry for all fisheries under Council jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the ability to utilize sablefish, halibut, and
other fisheries species is important to the diversified economy of
the coastal communities of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the ability to participate in multiple fisheries
and adapt to changing economic and resource conditions are vital
characteristics of the Alaska fishing industry; and
WHEREAS, individual fishing quotas may deny the
opportunity for residents of coastal communities to fully diversify
and maximize their fisheries; and
WHEREAS, individual fishing quota programs under
consideration provide for much of the resource to be allocated to
non-resident users, excluding disproportionate numbers of Alaska
fishermen and preclude participation by the growing Alaska longline
fishing fleet; and
WHEREAS, limited access will prohibit maximum utilization
of a natural resource by depriving crew members, processors and
other support groups of full participation; and
WHEREAS, the trend will be to process groundfish offshore
which will minimize the raw fish tax to coastal communities and the
state; and
WHEREAS, limited access programs restrict the free
enterprise system by not allowing commercial fishermen to maximize
their potential in the fishery; and
Resolution No. 90-20
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WHEREAS, limited access does not address several more
fundamental management problems;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kodiak Island
Borough Assembly that the Governor is respectfully requested to
take whatever action is necessary to protect the rights of Alaska
fishermen and to vigorously oppose any effort to implement limited
entry in the sablefish and other fisheries in Alaska; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council is respectfully requested to abandon their
initiative to impose a moratorium on all fisheries under Council
jurisdiction; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council is respectfully requested to not impose a
sablefish IFQ system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the North Pacific Fishery Council
is requested to continue the open access (status quo) management
of the sablefish and other fisheries under Council jurisdiction;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the North Pacific Fishery Council
is requested to abandon all efforts to study, plan, encourage or
implement limited access in the fisheries under Council
jurisdiction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the council recommends the
adoption of limited access in the groundfish fisheries, then the
Secretary of Commerce is respectfully requested to reject this
recommendation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution
shall be sent to the Honorable Robert A. Mosbacher, United States
Secretary of Commerce; Dr. John A. Knauss, Under Secretary for
Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; Mr. Steve Pennoyer,
Regional Director, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Juneau, AK; Dr. William W. Fox, Jr. Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service,
NOAH; Mr. Don Collinsworth, Chairman, and Mr. Clarence Pautzke,
Executive Director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council;
Honorable Steve Cowper, Governor of Alaska; and to the Honorable
Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and
Resolution No. 90-20
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the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska
delegation in Congress; and all members of the Alaska State
Legislature.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1990.
ATTEST:
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
H ugh Mayor /
siding Officer
Resolution No. 90-20
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