CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                            Novak

RESOLUTION 07-28

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA OPPOSING THE ARBITRARY ACTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION’S ATTEMPT TO REGULATE DOMESTIC ALLOCATIONS WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE OR COMMENT, AND THEREBY CAUSING A DISRUPTIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SEASONAL LOCAL ECONOMIES IN ALASKAN COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

 

            WHEREAS, Domestic allocation issues are not listed in the most recent iteration of the 1979 Protocol Convention governing the authority of the International Pacific Halibut Commission; and

 

            WHEREAS, Following the 1979 Protocol, it was made explicit that authority regarding domestic allocation issues would rest with recreational fisheries management councils, such as the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; and

 

            WHEREAS, In 1997 the International Pacific Halibut Commission denied a request by the Alaska Sport Fishing Alliance to increase the sport fishing bag limit from two to three halibut per day by arguing that such an increase was an issue of allocation, and was therefore beyond its legitimate authority; and

 

            WHEREAS, The International Pacific Halibut Commission proposal discriminates against those who cannot afford their own boat, as private boat owners fishing for recreation would continue to be permitted two halibut per day, while anglers on guided charter boats would be limited to a single halibut; and

 

            WHEREAS, Recent responses from Alaskan sport fishermen indicate that they will fish before or after, but not during, the restricted fishing period, so the Alaska Department of Fish and Game believes this arbitrary action may have little effect on the number of halibut taken; and

 

            WHEREAS, There will be spin-off economic effect on Alaskan coastal communities as people interested in sport fishing for halibut will simply not show up until the restrictions have been lifted, and this means in Homer’s case, instead of just the first half of June, all of June could be economically slow.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the City Council of Homer, Alaska opposes the arbitrary action of the International Pacific Halibut Commissions attempt to regulate domestic allocations without prior notice or comment, and causing a disruptive economic impact on seasonal local economies in Alaskan coastal communities; and

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska recommends that no action be taken to adopt, implement or enforce the International Pacific Halibut Commission proposal, and that it be sent to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for appropriate consideration and review consistent with the law.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 12th day of February, 2007.

 

CITY OF HOMER
           

                                                                                                                                               

JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

Fiscal Note: N/A