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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2005-49Suggested by: City Council CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2005-49 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, OPPOSING INTEGRATION OF THE HALIBUT CHARTER FISHERY INTO THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL IFQ SYSTEM. WHEREAS, the sport halibut charter is an important part of the growth of the tourism industry in the City of Kenai; and, WHEREAS, the proposed Halibut Charter IFQ plan is not based on any biological need; and, WHEREAS, the proposed rule to integrate the sport halibut charters in the commercial IFQ system transfers ownership of a resource to the private sector that traditionally belonged to the public; and, WHEREAS, encouraging new entrants in the charter business in turn encourages competition and diversity in the fleet; and, WHEREAS, the implementation and allocation of the Halibut Charter IFQ will significantly reduce the number of charter operations in Kenai, thereby reducing tourism revenue and taxable earnings proportionately within our community; and, WHEREAS, the proposed management plan will not meet the needs of the current fleet and catch and effort statistics from the International Pacific Halibut Commission and sport fishing license sales records from the State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game show the growth in the sport halibut fishery is flat or has increased less than one percent (1%) per year; and, WHEREAS, the negative financial impacts resulting from the implementation of the Halibut Charter IFQ will have a damaging effect on the economic infrastructure of Kenai, including direct losses to business tax revenues. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE cITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, that: Section 1: The proposed halibut charter IFQ plan would present a significant barrier to free enterprise; and, Section 2' When an area needs management for the conservation of the halibut resource, we encourage that community to turn to "Local Area Management Plans" (LAMPS) in order to address the unique situation of that particular fleet; and, Section 3' The proposed Charter IFQ plan will impair services to the public and stifle incentive for new charter operators. Resolution No. 2005-49 / Page 2 of 2 Section 4: The Kenai City Council would suppo/gt a management plan that is equitable to all existing charter operators and includef~ovisions for new entrants. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENA~g, ALASKA, this 16th day of November, 2005. ATTEST: Carol L Fre ~a=- 21 OS 05;: 30p ~'E'DFt ~07 '74, '7 7688 GREATER SITKA CHAMBER OF COERCE A RESOLUTION OF THE GRE.~,TER SITKA CHA2V~~ OF COMMERCE OPPOS~G THE tN~G~TION OF THE HALIBUT CHAR.TER FtS~RY INTO THE EXISTING CO~RCIAL SYSTEM. WHEP~EAS, the Crm~tex Sit~ Cham~ of Cc~mmerce values alt bu.si~~ equally and supports all fisher)' gear groups including the sport fisF~.ng industry, and ~rHEREAS, the sport halibut chaser indt~,'try is an important part of Si'tl~'s ecomgmy, and WHEREAS, the propo~mcl Halibut Charter I,'FQ plan is not base. ti on any biological ne~, and WHEREAS, the proposal rule to integrme the sport halibut chafers into the eommereifl IFQ system would transfer a public resomxre into private sector ownersh~, %%IEREAS, the ptolmsod charter IFQ pIan vdll not meet the neexls of~e existing fleet..ind~ estimates show the plan will only meet the pote~ nood~ of about 125 (one4mndred and twenty-five) full time six pack chart~ boa~ in all of SE Al~_ka. In 2004, there wer~ approximately 600 (six- hundred) six-pack charier boats regismred in SE Ala.~ka, of whiela approximately 300 (three hundred) were considered full time, and WHE~, the implememafion and alloca~on of Hah'but Chartex IFQ will sigaitieantly reduce the number ofchaner opm-atom in Sitlm, thereby reducing tourism revenue and taxable earnings ~roportionately wiflain our cx>mmunity, and WHEREAS, catch and effort statistics from the Int~omfl Paeific Ha~but ~on and sporx risking [i0en~e sales records from the State. of Alaska Depm'tmont of Fis~ and ~ show that the gro~ in the sport halibut fishery is fiat or has increased le~ than 1% per year, and WHEREAS, the negative impacts te~thag from the implementation of the Hah'buI Charter IFQ will have a damaging effect on the economic health of Sitlc~ itmtud~ direct fman64al I~ to port and harbors, business tax revenues, and satellite businesstm ~dent on a healfl~y fleex. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RF~OLVED, the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the ptopo~d Charter IFQ system is domonstmtext and the frill economic impact on the. community cam be fletennine~ and BE IT FURTHER P-~SOLVED, when an ~ neexls rmmag~t for the conservation of the halibut resource., we encourage tl~t community t~ mm to local Area Managemem Plans (LAMPS) in order to address the unique situation of that particular fleet. PASSED and ADOPTED this 9th day of March. 2005 by the Grea~ SR]~ Chamber of Commerce 3rearer Sitka Chamber of CITY OF WHITTIER, ALASKA RESOLUTION//774-05 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITTIER, ALASKA OPPOSING INTEGRATION OF THE HALIBUT CHARTER FISHERY INTO THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL IFQ SYSTEM. WHEREAS, the sport halibut charter is an important part of the growth of the tourism industry in the City of Whittier; and WHEREAS, the proposed Halibut Charter IFQ plan is not based on any biological need; and WHEREAS, the proposed role to integrate the sport halibut charters in the commercial IFQ system transfers ownership of a resource to the private sector that traditionally belonged to the public; and WHEREAS, encouraging new entrants in the charter business in mm encourages competition and diversity in the fleet; and WHEREAS, the implementation and allocation of the Halibut Charter IFQ will significantly reduce the number of charter operators in Whittier, thereby reducing tourism revenue and taxable earnings proportionately within our community; and WHEREAS, the proposed management plan will not meet the needs of the current fleet. Industry estimates show the proposal will only satisfy the needs of 160 six Packs' for Area 3-A, which includes Whittier, Homer, Kodiak, Seward, Ninilchik and Valdez; and WHEREAS, catch and effort statistics from the International Pacific Halibut Commission and sport fishing license sales records from the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game show that the growth in the sport halibut fishery is flat or has increased less than 1% per year; and WHEREAS, The Whittier Chamber of Commerce is in opposition to current Charter IFQ management plans until such time an economic impact on the community can be completed; and WHEREAS, The City is well positioned to maintain and become further involved in the development of the tourism industry due to its long history with the industw, strong membership in the Chamber of Commerce, outstanding port and harbor facilities, diverse tourism infrastructure, and location on the National Highway System; and Oct~ 05 85 09: 30a Rod & Stace 835-~157 p- 2 CITY OF VALDF7_, ALASKA RESOLUTION O5-70 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALDEZ, ALASKA, OPPOSING INTEGRATION OF THE HALIBUT CHARTER FISHERY INTO THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL SYSTEM WHEREAS, the sport charter industry is an important part of the growth of the tourism indust~ in .the City of Valdez; and VVI-IEREAS, the proposed Halibut Charter IFQ plan is not based on any biological need; and VVI-IEREAS, the proposed rule to integrate the sport halibut charters in the commercial IF Q system transfers ownership of a resource to the private sector that traditionally belonged to the public; and VVHEREAS, encouraging new entrants in the charter business in turn encourages competition and diversity in the fleet; and WHEREAS, the implementation and allocation of a Halibut Charter IFQ will significantly reduce the number of charter operators in Valdez, thereby reducing tourism revenue and taxable earnings proportionately within our community; and WHEREAS, the proposed management plan will not meet the needs of the current fleet. Industry estimates show the proposal will only satisfy the needs of 160 six pack license holders for Area 3-A, which includes Valdez, Whittier, Homer, Kodiak, Seward and Ninilchik; and WHEREAS, catch and effort statistics from the International Pacific Halibut Commission and sport fishing license sales records from the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game show that the growth in the sport halibut fishery is flat or has increased less than 1% per year; and VVHEREAS, the negative financial impacts resulting from the implementation of the Halibut Charter IFQ will have a damaging effect on the economic infrastructure of Valdez, including direct losses to the Harbor and business tax revenues. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE ,. CITY OF VALDEZ, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The Valdez Cib/ Coundl finds that the proposed halibut charter plan would presont a signifi~nt barrier to froo enterprise. Received 0ct-05-05 09'38am Fr0m-835 4157 T0-ARODI0 STANLEY & REE Page 02 Rod $ Stac~ 835-~!57 Io. 3 Oc~~ 05 ~5 O~]: 3Da City of Valdez Resolution No. 05-70 Page 2 Section 2._ VVhen an area needs management for the conservation, of the halibut resource, we encourage that community to turn to Local Area Management Plans" (LAMPS) in order to address the unique situation of that particular fleet_ Section 3._ The Valdez City Council finds that the proposed Charter IFQ plan will impair services to the public and stifle incentive for new charter operators. Section 4. The Valdez City Council would support a management plan that is equitable-to all existing charter operators and include provisions for new entrants. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Valdez, Alaska, this 3r~ day of October, 2005. CITY OF VALDEZ, ALASKA ,. ATTEST: ~heri L. Pierce, CMC, City Clerk Page 03 Received 0ct-05-05 09:38am From-835 4157 To-AtAODIO STANLEY & REE Charter c ssociatio Z PO Box 4 78, tlomer, AK 99605 "To preserve and protect the rights and resources of Alaska's Sport Fishermen.- ALASKA CHARTER ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION DATED August 15, 2005 The ACA, with 182 members from 27 cities m Alaska, represents over 50,000 fishing clients. Its efforts are supported by the Recreational Fishing Alliance, Alaska Outdoor Council, Homer City Council, Homer Chamber of Commerce, Kodiak Convention and Visitors Bureau, Whittier Chamber of Commerce, Whitter City Council, Sitka Chamber of Commerce, Gustavus City Council and hundreds of satellite businesses who are dependent on the continued health oft he Charter Industry. The Alaska Charter Association supports Alaska's independent charter fishermen,/nd/v/dual anglers, and Alaska's tour/sm industry, recogn/z/ng the current demograph/c and economic/nfrastrucmre of the small Alaskan Commun/ty and opposing the establishment of charter quota shares. BE IT RESOLED BY TI-tIE ALAS~ CHARTER ASsOciATIoN: WHEREAS the Alaska Charter Association supports the charter fishermen of Alaska, who are the lifeblood of our coastal commumfies and who provide economic oppormn/ty and diversity for our coastal commun/ties; and WHEREAS the Alaska Charter Association recogn/zes that charter fishing is and w/ll remain the predominant economic base for many of our coastal commun/ties; and WHEREAS the Alaska Charter Association supports the Alaska tour/sm industry which provides investment in the state and is the largest employment base in many Alaska commumties; and W/IEREAS the Alaska Charter Association supports the free enterprise system; and WHEREAS THE Alaska Charter Association recognizes the fights of small bus/ness to compete under the Sherman Act; and WHEREAS the Alaska Charter Association recogn/zes that federal fishery management within the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone of the Un/ted States can have dramatic '~,~ffects on the economic growth and stability of Alaska coastal "~ommunities; and WHEREAS the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has proposed a Charter IFQ based plan for management of the sport halibut stocks in areas 2C and 3A: and £ ewis E. Hay 9438 ~hittington Drive Jo~cksonvil~e, Ftoridc~ 32257 Senator Ted Stevens 522 Hart Senate Office Building Washingtin, D.C. 20510 September 25, 2005 Dear Senator Stevens, My wife and I recently enjoyed our first our Alaska vacation from July 6 through 18, 2005. We visited several places and tried numerous activities. My most enjoyable experience was halibut fishing. We would love to come back and do it again. I'm even talking to a couple of our fdends about coming back with us. Our return trip will not likely happen if the proposed Halibut Charter IFQ Program is implemented. This program will eliminate many quality charter businesses (ie. competition) and drive charter prices way, past what the average visitor can afford. It is obvious that you don't have enough quality charter businesses now as evidenced by the fact that out-of-state fishermen have to book several months in advance to get on a good boat. i would therefore urge you as a Republican Senator from Alaska to oppose the Halibut Charter IFQ Program in order to protect and enhance Alaska's toUrist trade. On our tdp to Alaska we spent our vacation dollars as follows: 1. Delta Airlines $ 2500.00 Alaska Tour Saver Book $99.00 Anchorage National Car Rental $931.00 Wal-mart $251.75 Sourdough Mining Company- Dinner $24.90 Fairfield Inn $163.13 Iditarod Store $31.10 Fishing Permit $50.00 Girdwood Ayalaska Skyliff $16.00 The Bake Shop- Lunch $25.00 Indian .Valley Mine $16.00 Cooper Landing Misc. Cash Purchases $100.00 Seward Harbor View inn $831.60 Salmon Bake Cabins-Lunch $21.50 Godwin Glacier Dog Sled $439.00 Safeway Store $102.21 Safeway Store $16.07 Thoms Showcase Lounge $55.00 Aurora Charters (what a jip) $197.60 Captain Jacks Seafood $23.27 Safeway Store $30.73 Alaska Shop $42.06 Kenai Fjord Tour $165.00 Sea Life Center $20.00 Miscellaneous Cash Purchases $150.00 Total Vacation Costs $10,112.82 ! comp/led this list of our spending (as opposed to one lump sum total ) to show you where and how we spent our money. You may want to pass this list around Senator Murkowski and Governor MurkowSki so they can see how much tourist spending was generated by four (two per trip) halibut. As you can see, our spending affected a lot of businesses The reason we will come back to Alaska is the halibut fishing. The scenery is wonderful b'ut we've seen it and it won't change- we have a lot of photos. You can't count on the salmon making a run with certainty and I'm not coming that far to catch a trout that I can get in a lot of other places closer to home. The halibut fishing is the drawl If we can't fish for halibut and utilize a quality charterat a reasonable cost, we simply won't be back and none of our money will be spent in Alaska - it's just that simple. I met a lot of Floridians and other Southerners during our stay and most of them felt the same way. It is very clear to me that the Halibut Charter IFQ program will severely damage the halibut fishing experience for most out-of state tourists (who have to use charter services)and in doing so will hurt Alaska's toudsm indUstry. By targeting halibut charter businesses, the Halibut Charter IFQ Program actually targets all of the out-of-state fishermen 'who visit Alaska every year. You might as well hang out a "Not Welcome" sign for all your angling tourists. You may or may not be aware of this, but the commercial bycatch of Halibut(13 million pounds in 2003) is almost twice the 7 million pound total harvested by sport fishermen (both private and charter boats) the same year. If the commercial fishin~