CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Yourkowski

RESOLUTION 05-23

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL OPPOSING INTEGRATION OF THE HALIBUT CHARTER FISHERY INTO THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL IFQ SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, the sport halibut charter industry is an important part of the growth of the tourism industry in the City of Homer, 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 Halibut Charter IFQ will significantly reduce the number of charter operators in Homer, 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 Homer, Kodiak, Seward, Ninilchik, Whittier, and Valdez.

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 Homer 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 industry, strong membership in the Chamber of Commerce, outstanding port and harbor facilities, excellent airport, diverse tourism infrastructure, and location on the National Highway System, and

Page Two

Resolution 05-23

City of Homer

WHEREAS, the negative financial impacts resulting from the implementation of the Halibut Charter IFQ will have a damaging effect on the economic infrastructure of Homer, including direct losses to Port and Harbor, business tax revenues, and satellite businesses dependent on a healthy fleet.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Homer City Council finds that the proposed halibut charter IFQ plan would present a significant barrier to free enterprise, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, 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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council finds that the proposed Charter IFQ plan will impair services to the public, stifle incentive for new charter operators and retard the goals of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Homer City Council would support a management plan that is equitable to all existing charter operators and include provisions for new entrants.

PASSED and ADOPTED this 28th day of February, 2005 by the Homer City Council.

CITY OF HOMER

__________________________________

JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: Not Defined.