1996-05 Authorizing An Expenditure to the North Pacific Universities Marine Research Consortium For Continued Marine Mammal Research in the North Pacific Ocean and Eastern Bering Sea.KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 96 -05
Introduced by: Mayor Selby
Requested by: Mayor Selby
Drafted: Mayor Selby
Introduced: 02/15/96
Adopted: 02/15/96
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE TO THE
NORTH PACIFIC UNIVERSITIES MARINE RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
FOR CONTINUED MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH IN THE
NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN AND EASTERN BERING SEA
WHEREAS, in recent decades, major changes have taken place in the population
dynamics of marine life in the North Pacific Ocean. 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 Ocean fishing industry now
faces one of the most critical periods in its history. The 1990 listing of the Steller sea
lions as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act could well be
followed soon by a listing of endangered. On October 4, 1995, the NMFS proposed
to reclassify Steller sea lions under the Endangered Species Act west of Cape
Suckling as endangered and to maintain a threatened listing for the population to the
east. Deadline for comments on this proposed rule making was January 2, 1996; and
WHEREAS, restrictions have already been implemented in the North Pacific Ocean
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, additional federal regulations might 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;
WHEREAS, such restrictions could cause great harm to the fishing industry of the
North Pacific Ocean as well as 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 Ocean fishing industry trade
groups have banded together to expedite and supplement the needed scientific
research; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 96 -05
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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 populations; 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 fun as a collaborative team of research scientists;
WHEREAS, fishermen, processors, local Alaska governments, and several
associations and support industries have committed substantial funding support; and
WHEREAS, the survival of the 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 Marine Science Foundation for use by the North Pacific Universities
Marine Mammal Research Consortium for continued marine mammal research in the
North Pacific Ocean and Eastern Bering Sea.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FIFTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY , 1996
ATTEST:
,(4'` (.�
onna F. Smit CMC, Clerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
e me M. Selb
)77_
yor
Gar L. Stevens, 'residing Officer
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 96 -05
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