Ladd/Kranich

 

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

 

RESOLUTION 03-121

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ENCOURAGING THE ALASKA CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY TO PARTNER WITH THE ALASKA SEAFOOD INDUSTRY BY SERVING WILD ALASKAN SALMON ON ALL ALASKAN CRUISE SHIPS.

 

WHEREAS, the Alaska cruise ship industry provides an opportunity for passengers to witness the spectacular wonders of Alaska’s coastline, and

 

WHEREAS, the Alaskan cruise ship industry makes significant contributions to the economy of coastal Alaska, and

 

WHEREAS, while traveling aboard Alaska cruise ships, passengers have a wonderful opportunity for exposure to the healthy benefits of Alaska, wild salmon, and

 

WHEREAS, there is a vast health benefit difference between wild and farmed salmon, as wild salmon has the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, an antioxidant, and unlike farmed salmon that contains additives to arrive at the familiar pink color instead of the farmed “gray” color, Alaska wild salmon is among the purest fish, and

 

WHEREAS, farmed fish have been associated with severe pollution and put local fish populations at risk, and

 

WHEREAS, the push for genetic modification of farmed salmon is becoming an increasing concern of many who buy and eat seafood, and

 

WHEREAS, continued growth of the Alaska cruise ship industry and the economic growth of Alaska are dependent upon each other, and

 

WHEREAS, the sustainability of Alaska wild salmon and fishermen working in Alaska fisheries are an integral part of the Alaskan economy, and

 

WHEREAS, the wild Alaskan salmon industry is severely threatened by the less nutritious farmed salmon which is cheaper to harvest and more affordable in the short term, and

 

 

 

 

Page Two

Resolution 03-121

City of Homer

 

WHEREAS, the total income from the Alaska commercial salmon harvest has dropped from $489 million in 1994 to $163 million in 2002 in part to farmed salmon and this trend is leading toward the demise of the Alaskan wild salmon industry and the eventual loss of the only “sustainable” salmon fishery in the United States of America as certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

           

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Homer City Council that the Alaska cruise ship industry is encouraged to reserve a place on ship menus for wild Alaskan salmon for guest exposure to an exquisite fare with a variety of healthy benefits, and that the Alaska cruise ship industry by serving wild Alaskan salmon aboard ships will support the commercial Alaska salmon fishery which is an integral part of a healthy world.

  1. The Alaska cruise ship industry contact the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute for a directory of Alaska Seafood Suppliers (www.alaskaseafood.org)
  2. This resolution be forwarded to all cruise company CEO’s with cruise ships in Alaska coastal waters, the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Office of the Governor, State of Alaska.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of September, 2003 by the City Council of Homer, Alaska.

                                                                 CITY OF HOMER

 

 

                                                                 ______________________

                                                                 JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

 

Fiscal Note: NA