HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2011-14t6l? i y �f
KENAI, ALASKA
Suggested by: Counselors Brian Gabriel and Joe Moore
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2 011 -14
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING
SOUND FISHERIES- MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND DIVERSIFIED HARVEST
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COOK INLET.
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai has benefited from healthy well managed salmon runs as
a central part of its economy and quality of life for its citizens and visitors for over one
hundred years; and,
WHEREAS, over the past several years, State of Alaska fishery policyrakers have
adopted regulations to increase opportunities for Alaska residents to harvest certain
species of salmon, but have done so without regard to the impacts of those fisheries
have on our community; and,
WHEREAS, over the past several years, Cook Inlet commercial fishers have
experienced substantial reductions in fishing opportunities that adversely impacted
their businesses and our local economy, while other users have not been burdened by
the satne conservation or harvest reallocation measures; and,
WHEREAS, the City has invested several hundred thousand dollars in an attempt to
mitigate the impact of the resident -only fishery, by building infrastructure solely for
the benefit of this fishery, often at the expense of spending capital on projects that
would be otherwise utilized by citizens year around; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to business opportunities for many citizens of the Kenai
Peninsula Borough and the State of Alaska, the Cook Inlet commercial salmon
industry is a critical component of our local economy because it provides jobs and is a
reliable tax base on both real and personal property; and,
WHEREAS, because it has been able to rely on a predictable stream of salmon
harvested in Cook Inlet during summer months, the local seafood processing industry
has been able to expand its season by months and now includes processing other
species such as halibut and cod, as well as fish flown in from other regions of the
State; and,
WHEREAS, the local commercial salmon industry is a vital part of our local economy
because it is supported by local commercial fishers, processors and the many vendors
that rely on its business year around; and,
WHEREAS, improvements in salmon handling and quality in both the commercial
harvest and processing sector has resulted in salmon prices nearing 20 -year highs
substantially increasing fish taxes to the Borough and the City of Kenai; and,
Resolution No. 2011 -14
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WHEREAS, adoption of regulations that significantly reduce the opportunities for Cook
Inlet commercial fishers to harvest and process salmon during its traditional summer
season, without a sound biological reason for doing so, will result in long -term and
perhaps irreversible damage to our local economy; and,
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Fish Game, 2011 Upper Cook Inlet Sockeye
Salmon Forecast indicates a commercial, sport, and personal use salmon harvest of
4.4 to 4.8 million salmon in Cook Inlet, most of which will be processed within the City
of Kenai, and suggests managers have reached an acceptable balance between the
needs of competing salmon harvesters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, as follows:
Section 1: Supports sound fisheries management practices in Cook Inlet specifically
with respect to the Kenai River salmon runs; and,
Section 2: Respectfully requests the State of Alaska Board of Fisheries to recognize
the historical and economic significance of the salmon runs that return to the Kenai
River by avoiding adoption of regulations that reduce opportunities for all Cook Inlet
and Kenai Peninsula salmon harvesters and City of Kenai fish processors and other
businesses without a sound biological reason for doing so.
Section 3: Upon passage, a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to Governor
Sean Parnell, Alaska Department of Fish Game Commissioner Cora Campbell,
Alaska Board of Fisheries members (individually), Senator Tom Wagoner, Speaker of
the House Mike Chenault, and Representative Kurt Olson.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this second day of
February, 2011.
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
PAT PORTER, MAYOR