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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-092 Sponsored by: Regis CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-092 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, OPPOSING PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE 4 TO THE NORTH PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL THAT WOULD CLOSE ALL FEDERAL WATERS IN COOK INLET TO COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHING WHEREAS, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council developed the Fishery Management Plan(FMP)for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska(FMP)that manages salmon fisheries in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ;3 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles offshore of Alaska); and WHEREAS, pursuant to a United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, after successful litigation brought by Cook Inlet Commercial Fisherman and Seafood Processers, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council must amend the FMP to bring it in line with the Ninth Circuit Court's decision; and WHEREAS,the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council is considering the following four alternative amendments to the FMP: l. Alternative 1 is status quo or no action,deferring management to the State of Alaska by excluding the traditional net fishing area in Cook Inlet EEZ from the FMP(the Ninth Circuit Court ruling makes this alternative "untenable" according to the authors of the Public Review Draft Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review for Proposed Alternative XX to the Fisheries Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska); 2. Alternative 2 would establish federal management of the commercial salmon fishery in Cook Inlet with management of the commercial fishery delegated to the State of Alaska in accordance with the Magnuson Stevens Act and other applicable federal law; 3. Alternative 3 would establish Federal management of the commercial salmon fishery in Cook Inlet with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and national Marine Fisheries Service without delegation of management to the State of Alaska; 4. Alternative 4 would effectively close all federal waters in Cook Inlet to commercial salmon fishing; and WHEREAS,Alternative 4 proposed by the State of Alaska ADF&G Deputy Commissioner at the North Pacific Fisheries Management Councils October 12, 2020 meeting after closure of public comment is not a science-based decision,but instead according to the United Cook Inlet Drift CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-092 Association, is a punitive decision for bringing the lawsuit, and rather than constituting a management plan consistent with sound fishery management and applicable federal regulations simply short circuit the Courts decision and intent of the Magnuson Stevens Act and FMP by eliminating the fishery altogether; and WHEREAS,if AIternate 4 were adopted by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, it would close the area of fishing where most of the Cook Inlet Drift Fleet harvest occurs,effectively eliminating the economic viability of the fishery and viability of seafood processers; and WHEREAS,the loss of the drift gillnet fishery in Cook Inlet would cause severe job loss, loss of capital investments in the fishery and support businesses, and could impact other fisheries if local processing capacity is lost or reduced; and WHEREAS,a 2015 report published by the McDowell group titled"The Economic Impact of the Seafood Industry in Southcentral Alaska"reported that the seafood industry in the reporting region directly employs over 10,000 people seasonally and had an economic output of S 1.2 billion; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes that the drift gillnet fleet, Iike other fisheries users, is a critical component of the city,positively contributing to the City's history,culture and economy;and WHEREAS, the City opposes adoption by North Pacific Fishery Management Council of Alternative 4 which effectively end the Cook Inlet Drift Net Fishery and cause severe economic impact and harm to the City. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that: Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby opposes the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Alternative 4. Section 2.The City Council has not considered which of the remaining alternatives should be adopted by the NPFMC. Section 3. The city manager will provide a copy of this resolution to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council as public comment for consideration at its December meeting. Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward,Alaska,this P day of December 2020. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-092 THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA /Moss, Terry, Mayor AYES: Casagranda, McCIure, Osy NOES: None ABSENT: Seese, Baclaan ABSTAIN: None ATT T: Br nda Ba , MM City Clerk r (City Seal) sy�yof b m 6�&a E4,41 SEAL m 91 Y G' p ��8+.