Resolution 12-034

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Lewis

RESOLUTION 12-034

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, URGING THE NORTH PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL TO ADOPT MEASURES THAT REDUCE THE HALIBUT PROHIBITED SPECIES CATCH IN THE GULF OF ALASKA GROUNDFISH FISHERIES.

WHEREAS, Halibut bycatch (prohibited species catch or PSC) limits in the Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries have not been significantly changed since 1989; and

WHEREAS, Currently there is a halibut bycatch limit of 2,300 metric tons (mt) in the Gulf of Alaska--or just over 5 million pounds; and

WHEREAS, A maximum reduction in the halibut PSC limit of 15% is being considered by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for final action in June 2012; and

WHEREAS, Exploitable biomass--the portion of the halibut population that is available for harvest--has declined by 58% over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Every pound of halibut caught as bycatch results in a direct loss of yield and spawning biomass of the halibut resource; and

WHEREAS, Cuts in catch limits have and will continue to have dramatic effects on our fisheries, businesses, economies and communities that depend on the halibut resource; and

WHEREAS, Halibut play a key role in the economy of the City of Homer;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Homer City Council:

SECTION 1. That the Homer City Council urges the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to take meaningful final action now by reducing Gulf of Alaska halibut bycatch by at least 15% .

SECTION 2. That copies of this Resolution be provided to Governor Sean Parnell and all members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

SECTION 3. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of Homer, Alaska, this 23rd day of April, 2012.
 

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR
ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A