FY2009-02 Federal Funding of Observer CoverageKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. FY2009 -02
Introduced by:
Requested by:
Drafted by:
Introduced:
Adopted:
A RESOLUTION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
URGING FEDERAL FUNDING OF OBSERVER COVERAGE
IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
Manager Gifford
Manager Gifford
Kodiak Fisheries
Advisory Committee
07/17/2008
07/17/2008
WHEREAS, vessels and shoreside processing facilities participating in Gulf of Alaska (GOA)
federal fisheries are predominantly smaller in size and receive less revenue from commercial
fishing than their counterparts in the Bering Sea /Aleutian Islands (BSAI); and
WHEREAS, daily costs of observer coverage is often higher operating in the GOA than the
BSAI, due to the logistics of deploying observers to remote ports for short periods of time; and
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Alaska fishing industry pays disproportionately higher costs for
federally mandated observer coverage when compared to the BSAI and other parts of the
Nation; and
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Alaska fishing industry is comparable in size, capacity, and annual
revenue to those based in U.S. non - Alaska coastal communities that have historically benefited
from 100% federally- funded Observer Programs; and
WHEREAS, Alaska's coastal communities are generally far Tess diversified, have fewer
economic opportunities, and are more dependent on commercial fishing than most fishing
communities outside of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Alaska federal fisheries deserve equitable treatment when compared
to other U.S. regions that receive federal funding dollars to support their observer program
needs; and
WHEREAS, federally funded observer coverage in the Gulf of Alaska would reduce the
financial burden on the small, community -based GOA fisheries and thereby help promote
economic stability and longevity in our communities; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation to increase federal funds to the North Pacific Groundfish
Observer Program to offset observer costs by GOA vessel owners and processors would allow
for a NMFS- directed observer deployment plan which would, in turn, result in more
representative and statistically robust fisheries data; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough believes it is in the best interests of the State of
Alaska's coastal communities to pursue U.S. government funding options for the globally
recognized and respected North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program for Gulf of Alaska
fisheries; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. FY2009 -02
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH THAT the Kodiak Island Borough urges the Alaska Congressional Delegation to
seek federal funding, in whole or in part, for observer coverage for vessels and processors
participating in federal fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JULY, 2008
ATTEST: Jerdfne M. Selby,
Nova M. Javier, CMC,
•
orough Clerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. FY2009 -02
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