1990-51 Calling for action to end the Use of High Seas Driftnets by Foreign Fishermen.By: Mayor Selby
Introduced: 09/20/90
Adopted: 09/20/90
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 90-51
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR ACTION
TO END THE USE OF HIGH SEAS DRIFTNETS
BY FOREIGN FISHERMEN
WHEREAS, residents of Southwest Alaska coastal
communities are dependent on fishing for their livelihood and
economies; and
WHEREAS, large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing has rapidly
expanded into the South and North Pacific and elsewhere during
which time many living marine resources of interest to Alaska
communities are killed, either as target species or accidentally;
and
WHEREAS, under customary international law, all members
of the international community have the duty to take, and cooperate
with other members in taking, such measures as may be necessary to
ensure the conservation of living marine resources on the high seas
and to ensure that their fisheries are adequately regulated and
rigorously monitored to permit the full and timely assessment of
fishery impacts; and
WHEREAS, past efforts to regulate and monitor the effort,
catch, and incidental mortality of large-scale pelagic driftnet
fishing have generally been insufficient due to inadequate
regulation or reliance on self-regulation by the large-scale
pelagic driftnet fishing industries; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough recognizes and
supports the application of sound resource conservation and
management principles to fishing activities undertaken in areas
beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones of any nation; and
i
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kodiak Island
Borough Assembly urges all members of the international community
to support full implementation of the United Nations General
Resolution No. 90-51
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Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 44/225 on "large-scale pelagic driftnet
fishing and its impacts on the living marine resources of the
world's oceans and seas."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there be an immediate
cessation to further expansion in large-scale pelagic driftnet
fishing;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that unless joint assessment by
all concerned members of the international community concludes
there is reasonable expectation of acceptable impacts by that
fishery, the conditions of relief from the moratorium recommended
in UNGA 44/225 are not met and, in this event, that such a pelagic
driftnet fishery cannot operate legitimately in areas beyond the
Exclusive Economic Zone of any nation after June 30, 1992.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that even when such a joint
assessment concludes that no unacceptable impacts are likely, a
large-scale pelagic driftnet fishery should only be conducted
pursuant to adequate monitoring and enforcement agreements between
interested members of the international community.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 20th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1990.
ATTEST:
Boro Jerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
B ough Mayor
Al
/'
Pee/siding Officer
Resolution No. 90-51
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