HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2014-09CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -09
Suggested by: Mayor Porter
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, OPPOSING
PROPOSAL 289 TO THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISH THAT WOULD REQUIRE FISH
WASTE FROM THE PERSONAL USE FISHERY TO BE GROUND UP TO THREE -
QUARTERS OF AN INCH.
WHEREAS, Proposal 289 has been submitted to the Board of Fish requesting fish
waste from the Kenai River personal use fishery to be ground up to three- quarters of
an inch; and,
WHEREAS, while theoretically this proposal might be of benefit to City, the practical
effect most likely would be detrimental; and,
WHEREAS, expecting users of the fishery to grind their own waste is unreasonable
and the burden would most likely fall on the City at great financial cost; and,
WHEREAS, fish waste collection activities necessary to implement the proposal would
likely create significant legal exposure for the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA:
Section 1. That the City of Kenai Opposes Proposal 289 submitted to the Board of
Fish and requests the Board of Fish not adopt the proposal.
Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 15th day of
January, 2014.
PAT PORTER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
S ra o igh, ty Clerk
New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
PROPOSAL 288 - 5 AAC 77.540. Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Salmon Fishery
Management Plan. Prohibit release of salmon caught in Cook Inlet personal use fisheries, as
follows:
All salmon caught while engaged in personal use fishing shall be retained, except as provided for
in 5 AAC 77.540(c)(2)(B).
ISSUE: This proposal seeks to implement catch - and -keep sport fishing provisions for Upper
Cook Inlet. Sorting of salmon, wastage of salmon resources, caught salmon must be harvested
and remain part of bag and possession limits.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF NOTHING IS DONE? Salmon will be caught and released,
possibly wasted and result in poor spawning success. P ublic access and high demand for
selected species will encourage the release and potential waste of other non - targeted stocks.
WILL THE QUALITY OF THE RESOURCE HARVESTED OR PRODUCTS
PRODUCED BE IMPROVED? Still provides for personal use fish for home use, provides
food for human consumption.
WHO IS LIKELY TO BENEFIT? Some salmon caught and released.
WHO IS LIKELY TO SUFFER? Probably very few personal use fishers.
OTHER SOLUTIONS CONSIDERED?
PROPOSED BY: United Cook Inlet Drift Association (HQ -F13 -108)
PROPOSAL 289 - 5 AAC 77.540. Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Salmon Fishery
Management Plan. Require fish waste from the Kenai River personal use fishery to be ground
up to three - quarters inch, as follows:
All dip net carcasses ground to '/< inches per DEC regulation.
ISSUE: Pollution, bacteria and illness.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF NOTHING IS DONE? Sickness and pollution.
WILL THE QUALITY OF THE RESOURCE HARVESTED OR PRODUCTS
PRODUCED BE IMPROVED? Yes, bio -waste is piped offshore, no pol lution, illness,
garbage, bears, bacteria.
WHO IS LIKELY TO BENEFIT? All dipnetters and fishermen.
WHO IS LIKELY TO SUFFER? The bears.
315
OTHER SOLUTIONS CONSIDERED? More tractors.
PROPOSED BY: John McCombs (HQ -F13 -360)
PROPOSAL 290 - 5 AAC 77540. Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Salmon Fishery
Management Plan. Change dates for the Kasilof River personal use (PU) set gillnet fishery
from June 15 -24 to June 20-30, and close the PU set gillnet fishery and require release of all
king salmon in the PU dip net fishery when sport fish restrictions are placed on king salmon in
the Kenai or Kasilof rivers, as follows:
(b) Salmon may be taken with a set gillnet in the Central District as follows:
(1) from [JUNE 15] June 20 through [JUNE 24] June 30: unless inseason sport fish
management restrictions are placed on either the Kenai or the Kasilof for king salmon
conservation reasons, in which case, the personal use set gillnet fishery in the Central
District will be closed and only open for ditmetting and all Chinook salmon will be required
to be released unharmed.
ISSUE: In years of low king salmon abundance, the personal use set gillnet fishery just south of
the Kasilof River is preventing necessary escapement of naturally occurring Crooked Creek
Chinook salmon and therefore is preventing the department from having surplus fish from which
to take eggs for the crooked creek Chinook stocking program. This lack of hatchery Chinook
production in turn has a very negative impact on the area's economy.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF NOTHING IS DONE? The escapement goal for early run
naturally occurring Crooked Creek Chinook will not be achieved and surplus fish for an egg take
and subsequent stocking of Crooked Creek hatchery Chinook will not occur.
WILL THE QUALITY OF THE RESOURCE HARVESTED OR PRODUCTS
PRODUCED BE IMPROVED? No.
WHO IS LIKELY TO BENEFIT? All those that benefit from healthy returns of both naturally
occurring and hatchery Crooked Creek Chinook stocks. Changing the fishery opener form June
15 to June 20 will help avoid early run king salmon interception and it will also benefit sockeye
personal use participants as dates are more in line with annual peak sockeye returns to the
Kasilof.
WHO IS LIKELY TO SUFFER? Only those that cannot adapt from a set gillnet to a dip net if
fisheries are restricted in times of low Chinook abundance.
OTHER SOLUTIONS CONSIDERED? Permanently change this fishery from a setnet fishery
to a dip net fishery. May not be necessary in times of average or high Chinook abundance.
PROPOSED BY: Mark Glassmaker (HQ -F13 -225)
316
"Villa�e with a Past, C# with a Future"
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 - 283 -7535 / FAX: 907 - 283 -3014
MEMORANDUM
TO: Council Members
FROM: Mayor Porter
DATE: January 9, 2014
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2014 -09
The City of Kenai and its residents bear a heavy burden from the Personal Use Dip Net
Fishery. Proposal 289 to the Board of Fish, attached hereto, requests the Board of Fish to
require that all fish waste from the dip net fishery be ground to three- quarters of an inch
in size. While this utopian idea might sound good, the reality is it would most likely
result in yet another burden from the state fishery for the City to fund and regulate, the
resources for which are not available. Your consideration of this Resolution opposing
Proposal 289 is appreciated.
Y: \Ordinances & Resolutions \Resolutions\Resolution No. 2014 -09 Fish Waste MEMO.docx