HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1997-024WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 1997 - 162
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
4/30/97
5/6/97
Nat Res / Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.-
Resolution support use of modified gillnets for non -tribal fishers
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed resolution
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Related County Contract #:. n/a Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/N N Requested Date: �7
This resolution strongly urges the appropriate state and federal agencies to support a phase -in of modified gillnets for the 1998
salmon season and beyond.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
1997-162 5/6/97: Approved 7 - 0. Res. #97 -024
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
Q-,,& 9-7-ea4
Gillnek430 SPONSORED BY: Nelson
PROPOSED BY:
Nelson
INTRODUCTION DATE: 5/6/97
RESOLUTION NO. 97 -024
2 SUPPORTING PHASING IN THE USE OF MODIFIED GILLNETS FOR NON - TRIBAL
3 FISHERS TO PROTECT SEA BIRDS
4 WHEREAS, the non -tribal gillnet fleet has been involved in an in -depth study conducted
5 by Ed Melvin of Washington Sea Grant, and has cooperated to the fullest extent by having observers
6 on board while fishing during the past three years; and
7 WHEREAS, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with U.S. Fish and
8 Wildlife, finds it necessary to impose bird net regulations for non -tribal gillnets in Commercial
9 Fishing Area 7 for the 1997 season, creating an undue hardship on non -tribal commercial gillnet
10 fishers; and
1 WHEREAS, gillnet companies who manufacture the modified nets are saying they cannot
�2 make the modified nets for the 1997 fishing season because there is not enough time; and
13 WHEREAS, gillnet fishers must absorb the cost of the new web and the construction of the
14 nets, even though the web cannot be made available until the salmon season is nearly complete; and
15 WHEREAS, research shows a significant reduction of sea -bird by -catch by gillnets fishing
16 during daylight hours on abundant salmon stocks using existing gillnets; and
17 WHEREAS, the Fraser Panel, with support from the Pacific Salmon Commission staff, will
18 manage the fishing area during sockeye and pink salmon fisheries in 1997 to allow for maximum
19 reduction of sea -bird by -catch by gillnets.
20 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council strongly
21 urges the appropriate state and federal agencies to support a phasing -in of modified gillnets for the
22 1998 salmon season and beyond. By doing this, the fishers and net companies can respond to
23 regulations requiring that modified nets be used by gillnet fishers.
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APPROVED this c, day of May , 1997.
2
3 ATTEST:
4
5 D rown- Davis, Cler of the Council
6 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
7 Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Z� W,(.e
t. Ward Nels n, Council Chair
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