1995-20 Authorizing an Expenditure to the North Pacific Universities Marine Research Consortium for Continued Marine Mammal Research in the North Pacific and Eastern Bering Sea.KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 95 -20
Introduced by: Mayor Selby
Requested by: Mayor Selby
Drafted: Mayor Selby
Introduced: 05/04/95
Adopted: 05/04/95
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE
TO THE NORTH PACIFIC UNIVERSITIES MARINE RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
FOR CONTINUED MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH IN THE
NORTH PACIFIC AND EASTERN BERING SEA
WHEREAS, in recent decades, major changes have taken place in the population
dynamics of marine life in the North Pacific. Stocks of crab and herring have
declined, while pollock and salmon populations have increased dramatically. At the
same time, certain marine mammals have flourished, while others have declined.
Nowhere are these changes more evident than in the Gulf of Alaska and the Eastern
Bering Sea where the Steller sea lion population has undergone a dramatic - -and
mysterious -- decline over the past two decades. Estimates by the National Marine
Fisheries Services (NMFS), following analysis of the 1994 field data, indicate over a
75 percent drop in numbers since the late 1970s; and
WHEREAS, as a result of this decline, the North Pacific fishing industry now faces
one of the most critical periods in its history. The 1990 listing of the Stellers as a
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act could well be followed soon
by a listing of endangered; and
WHEREAS, restrictions have been implemented in the North Pacific without sufficient
data or the funding for the research that would provide complete data on the possible
effects of fishing on the Steller sea lion; and
WHEREAS, impending federal regulations threaten to restrict or completely close
commercial fishing in the Gulf of Alaska and the Eastern Bering Sea because of the
continuing decline of the Steller sea lion population; and
WHEREAS, such restrictions which would cause great harm to the Kodiak Island
fishing industry and economy, as well as the fishing industry of the North Pacific and
coastal communities in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea whose economies are solely
based on commercial fishing; and
WHEREAS, representatives of several North Pacific fishing industry trade groups
have banded together to expedite and supplement the needed scientific research; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 95 -20
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WHEREAS, it has become necessary to create an independent research consortium
to study and determine possible causes for the decline in the sea lion population and
its interaction with the commercial fishing and the decline of sea bird population; and
WHEREAS, the North Pacific Universities Marine Research Consortium that includes
the University of Alaska, University of British Columbia, University of Washington,
and Oregon State University will function as a collaborative team of research
scientists; and
WHEREAS, several associations and support industries have committed substantial
funding contingent upon broad industry support; and
WHEREAS, the survival of the Kodiak Island fishing industry depends on our finding
a solution to the mystery of the sea lion decline;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH that the Assembly authorizes an expenditure in the amount of $5,000 to
the North Pacific Universities Marine Research Consortium for continued marine
mammal research in the North Pacific and Eastern Bering Sea.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FOURTH DAY OF MAY, 1995.
k- t fl2rt 7 �mat�j
Donna F. Smith, CMC, Borough Clerk
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
M. Selby, Boroug
Jero
ichael R. Milligan
Deputy Presiding • ffice
for Mary A. Monroe, Presiding Officer
Resolution No. 95 -20
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