HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2000-134
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Sponsored by: Janke
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2000-134
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
INVESTIGATION OF THE SEA LION POPULATION DECLINE
Whereas, the Endangered Species Act is the Federal statute designed to prevent the
extinction of animal and plant species in the United States. The ESA requires the Federal
Government to take action in those situations where human activities may be jeopardizing the
continued existence of endangered species. The ESA also requires the Federal Government to make
informed, scientifically based decisions about the impact of human activities on an endangered specie;
and
Whereas, the best available science supports the decision of the National Marine Fisheries
Service to list stellar sea lions as an endangered specie. The cause of such decline in the sea lion
population is unknown. Marine biologists have posed a series of alternative theories on the causes
in the sea lion decline; and
Whereas, the Marine biologists have posed a series of alternative theories on the causes in
the sea lion decline; including predation of juvenile sea lions by orcas, regime shift, environmental
contaminants, disease, competition with fishing fleets for food, and the impact of climate change on
the ability of the North Pacific ecosystem to support a large population of sea lions; and
Whereas, the theory that fishing for pollock in steller sea lion critical habitat has effectively
deprived the sea lion population of a core prey species and has caused nutritional stress on juvenile
sea lions has been used as justification for causing the National Marine Fisheries Service to impose
comprehensive fishing regulations on the small boat fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and the trawl
fisheries of the Bering Sea. Admittedly, the science on which this decision was made is not
conclusive, and the National Marine Fisheries Service is working to produce a new biological opinion;
and
Whereas, the fishing regulations have had serious impacts on the ability of fishermen and
processing workers to make a living, and have adversely impacted tax revenue and economic activity
in the fisher-dependent coastal communities of Alaska; and
Whereas, the impacts of fishing on steller sea lions in critical habitat areas, including a
thorough and comprehensive analysis of the cumulative impacts of all fishing on sea lions, has not
been determined. The effectiveness of existing fishing regulations on reducing nutritional stress in
the steller sea lion population has not been evaluated, nor have the number of other alternative
theories for the decline been researched; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2000-134
Whereas, in spite of the fact that the best available science is not inclusive, an injunction on
fishing in critical habitat under the ESA and the National Environmental Policy Act is in effect; and
Whereas, Federal District Court Judge ZiIley has determined that the National Marine
Fisheries Service has failed to properly explain the impacts of fishing on stellar sea lions in critical
habitat, including a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the cumulative impacts of all fishing on
the sea lions. Judge Zilley's ruling was procedural in nature. He did not render an opinion on
whether the National Marine Fisheries Service regulations in place were sufficient to prevent adverse
impacts on stellar sea lions. The procedural failure to properly evaluate the best available science has
led to an injunction on fishing in critical habitat under the ESA and the National Environmental Policy
Act; and
Whereas, the National Marine Fisheries Service will not be able to establish quotas for next
year's pollock, cod, and flatfish fisheries unless or until it publishes another biological opinion which
is acceptable to Judge ZiIley. Fisheries Service officials believe that this evaluation could take as long
as six months to do properly. The failure to prepare an acceptable biological and environmental
evaluation may lead to fisheries closures for trawl and fixed gear fisheries. The Judge's ruling about
cumulative impacts also has ramifications for the State-managed salmon and herring fisheries; and
Whereas, Senator Ted Stevens has proposed legislation to provide the National Marine
Fisheries Service until July 15,2001 to prepare another biological opinion and draft a supplemental
environmental impact statement. Senator Stevens' amendment will lift the current Federal injunction
and allow the fisheries to resume in a timely fashion. Pollock fishing would continue to be regulated
in accordance with the Federal regulations established by the National Marine Fisheries Service in
July, 2000. These regulations were designed to minimize the impact of pollock fishing on the sea lion
populations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The President ofthe United States, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Congress
of the United States agree to the legislation being proposed by Senator Stevens to provide the
National Marine Fisheries Service with additional time to prepare a thorough and comprehensive
biological opinion and supplemental environmental impact statement.
Section 2. The National Marine Fisheries Service dedicate a significant portion of the $24
million to be appropriated in Fiscal Year 2001 to: (1) a scientific investigation of pollock fishing
activity inside the sea lion haulout areas to determine if it is in fact contributing to nutritional stress;
and (2) scientific investigations into alternative theories, including the impact of climate change on
the carrying capacity of the stellar sea lion populations.
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2000-134
Section 3. The Secretary of Commerce, the Governor for the State of Alaska, and the Alaska
Congressional Delegation utilize the Alaska SeaLife Center, the only cold water marine mammal
research facility in the Western Hemisphere, which is strategically located adjacent to the area of
concern to do and/or coordinate the scientific research necessary to provide public policy makers with
the information they need.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 6 day
of November, 2000.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
(1-, (> ~,"" )
Edgar Blatchford, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Blatchford, Brossow, Calhoon, Clark, Orr, Shafer
None
King
None
ATTEST:
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