1999-06 Supporting Fish and Game Advisory BoardIntroduced by:
Requested by:
Drafted by:
Introduced:
Adopted:
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 99 -06
Assemblymember Bonney
Assemblymember Bonney
Assemblymember Bonney
03/11/99
03/11/99
A RESOLUTION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SUPPORTING
THE KODIAK FISH AND GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S AMENDMENT TO THE
ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES PROPOSAL #132 BY LIMITING THE CLOSURE TO
NON - PELAGIC TRAWLING IN THREE AREAS CONSIDERED CRAB HABITAT
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough is a fishing dependent community that supports
responsible fishing and management measures which promote sustainable fisheries;
and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough fishing industry is composed of all gear types
and vessel sizes which enable the fishing industry to benefit from all the commercial
species available in the Kodiak Island Borough; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of the fisheries within the Kodiak Island Borough provide
nearly year- around work for fishermen and processing plant workers which are year -
around Alaska residents and members of the community; and
WHEREAS, all gear types and fisheries are important to the welfare of Kodiak Island
Borough residents; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Board of Fisheries issued a resolution on January 22, 1999,
stating its inclination to close all state waters in the Kodiak area to non - pelagic
trawling in response to Proposal #132 submitted to the Alaska Board of Fisheries
requesting the closure of all state waters to non - pelagic trawl gear in the Kodiak area;
and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee reviewed Proposal #132
to close all state waters to non - pelagic trawl gear and amended Proposal #132 to close
to non - pelagic trawling only three areas considered crab habitat base on local
knowledge; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee voted unanimously in
favor of the amended proposal to close to non - pelagic trawling Marmot Bay, South
Sitkilidak Straits, and the following areas on the mainland - all waters of Kukak, Kaflia,
Kuliak, Missak, Kinak, and Amalik Bays enclosed by a line from Cape Nukshak to Cape
Ugyak to Cape Gull to Cape Kuliak to Cape Atushagvik to Cape Ilktugitak; and
WHEREAS, closing all state waters to non - pelagic gear endangers and forces many
Kodiak fishermen to fish farther offshore than may be safe, particularly during the
winter months; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 99 -06
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WHEREAS, shallow water flatfish live in shallow waters most of which are state
waters; and
WHEREAS, shallow water flatfish are an economically important fishery for Kodiak
based trawlers which provides work for processing plant employees when other
fisheries are closed; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Board of Fisheries' inclination to close all state waters to non -
pelagic trawling would jeopardize the safety and income of a number of Alaska
resident fishermen; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee relied on the collective
knowledge of the Advisory Committee and local fishermen of the fishing grounds and
different fisheries to recommend selected areas known to be critical crab and rearing
habitat and left open areas known to be judged as suitable for non - pelagic trawling;
and
WHEREAS, Kodiak's stocks of commercial groundfish are healthy and increasing; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough believes the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory
Committee's amended proposal represents the best available knowledge and allows
non - pelagic trawling to take place in a sustainable manner;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH that:
Section 1: The Kodiak Island Borough urges the Alaska Board of Fisheries to
recognize the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee's process.
Section 2: The Kodiak Island Borough urges the Alaska Board of Fisheries to adopt
the Kodiak Fish and Game Advisory Committee's amended proposal #132
as recommended unanimously by the Advisory Committee.
ATTEST:
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS ELEVENTH DAY OF MARCH, 1999
C
h A. Nielsen, CM , Acting Borough Clerk
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Ga
L. Stevens, Mayor
Resolution No. 99 -06
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