CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Shadle

RESOLUTION 06-85(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME EXAMINE KACHEMAK BAY FOR THE POTENTIAL OF A SUBSISTENCE CRAB FISHERY AND PROMOTE OF A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY GEAR TYPE.

WHEREAS, Homer area residents use Kachemak Bay for subsistence and sport fishing; and

WHEREAS, Kachemak Bay is easily accessible for Homer area residents and provides a great fisheries resource for subsistence; and

WHEREAS, The Homer area residents should be allowed a crab subsistence season; and

WHEREAS, The limit should be no more ten crabs per person; and

WHEREAS, During the sensitive crab breeding period and also when molting no subsistence shall be allowed; and

WHEREAS, The desire is to keep pressure out of the smaller bays therefore subsistence fishing should be allowed only in the main part of Kachemak Bay; and

WHEREAS, To facilitate a reduction in pirating of the subsistence crab pots the pots may not be set earlier than 6 a.m. and must be pulled no later than 6 p.m.; and

WHEREAS, Kachemak Bay is a critical habitat area and hard on the bottom dragging is prohibited, however, Fish and Game remains dragging to gather crab stock data and should be using crab pots.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Homer City Council hereby urges the Department of Fish and Game to open Kachemak Bay for a Subsistence Crab Fishery between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and that there be a limit of no more than ten crabs per person and that a more environmentally friendly gear type must be used in the Kachemak Bay area.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Homer City Council this 14th day of July, 2006.

CITY OF HOMER

ATTEST: JAMES C HORNADAY, MAYOR

MARY L CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: NA.