1998-14 Marine Mammel Research ExpenditureKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 98 -14
Introduced by: Mayor Selby
Requested by: Mayor Selby
Drafted: North Pacific Marine Science Foundation
Introduced: 04/07/98
Adopted: 04/07/98
A RESOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE IN THE AMOUNT OF
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000) TO THE
NORTH PACIFIC MARINE SCIENCE FOUNDATION 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 crabs 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 1996 field data indicate over a
seventy -five 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. In the past year, Steller sea lions in their
western range were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This
means that Stellar sea lions west of Cape Suckling are now considered endangered
and the population to the east will maintain a "threatened" listing; and
WHEREAS, restrictions have already 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, additional federal requirements 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; and
WHEREAS, such restrictions could cause great harm to the fishing industry of the
North Pacific 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 fishing industry trade groups have
banded together to expedite and supplement the needed scientific research; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 98 -14
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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 commercial fishing and the decline of sea bird populations; and
WHEREAS, the North Pacific Universities Marine Research Consortium, which
includes the University of Alaska, University of British Columbia, University of
Washington, and Oregon State University, functions as a collaborative team of
research scientists; and
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 could well depend upon 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 an expenditure in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) is
hereby authorized to the North Pacific Marine Science Foundation for use by the North
Pacific University Marine Mammal Research Consortium for continued marine mammal
research in the North Pacific and Eastern Bering Sea.
ATTEST:
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS SEVENTH DAY OF APRIL, 1998
G]).Ytli jy 1L e4
Donna F. Smith, CMC /AAE, Borough Clerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
ar L. Ste ens, Presiding Officer
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 98 -14
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