CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Mayor

RESOLUTION 09-22

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF PORTIONS OF PETERSON AND CHINA POOT BAYS TO SHELLFISH HARVEST TO SUSTAIN EDUCATIONAL USE.

 

WHEREAS, The beaches being proposed for a seasonal closure to harvest from April 15 to September 15 have been the site of educational science field trips for Kenai Peninsula School District classes for 25 years under the guidance of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies; and

 

WHEREAS, The beaches being proposed for a seasonal closure for harvest are an important educational destination for visitors to the Homer area, which helps support the area’s tourism industry; and

 

WHEREAS, The topography has changed recently as a result of erosion and deposition patterns in China Poot Bay and now provides access to an intertidal area at extreme low tides which did not formerly exist; and

 

WHEREAS, Pressure for harvest of marine invertebrates classified as shellfish by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, such as octopus and chitons, has increased in recent years as a result of closure of beaches in the Seward area that were overharvested; and

           

WHEREAS, Harvest of shellfish often requires disturbance of the beach is in conflict with the opportunity to learn about a diversity of marine invertebrates in their natural setting; and

 

WHEREAS, The areas proposed for closure are a very small part of the area available for harvest of clams, other shellfish, and marine invertebrates harvested for sport or subsistence uses in China Poot and Peterson Bay.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the Homer, Alaska, supports Proposal 366 to the Board of Fisheries to close areas of Kachemak Bay to sport, commercial, and personal use harvest of shellfish from April 15 to September 15, specifically 2100 feet along Shipwreck Cove, China Poot Bay, and three acres at Otter Rock, Peterson Bay.

 

            PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 9th day of February, 2009.

 

CITY OF HOMER
           

                                                                                     ____________________________

JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A