Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Ratz: Kodiak assemblies’ letter misses the protective mark by Stephen Taufen
January 26, 2013
In December, the Federal Register declared that the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council is proceeding on giving away federal fish resources to selected trawl recipients in the Gulf of Alaska. Homer, Kodiak, King Cove and Sand Point are among the most affected — all challenged to economically protect their fishery dependent coastal municipalities and boroughs.
The local city of Kodiak and the Kodiak Island Borough’s joint fishery work group has shown concern and help many meetings over the past seven months, listening to input from all sides. One must applaud when elected officials get highly involved; but that is only if they truly keep the public’s interests foremost. They could take a lesson from New Bedford’s former Mayor Lang’s firm stance about preserving fishing jobs and protecting the local economy against privatization forces. Read more
Well done Mr. Taufen, As you point out, we all know the consequences of these ill advised plans. There is a track record and a history. And in all cases it leads to the same outcome. The benefit of the few at the expense of the many.
I especially liked your comment, ” It’s the death knell for young and new fishermen to enter the fishery” It is them that I fear for. It is the up and coming who deserve to have the same opportunities we were all afforded when we began our careers.
I am on the down hill side of my fishing career. I made the decision to sell my vessel and business which had been my whole life and existence for twenty six years. I basically took a stand when the day came that required me to pay for fish I hadn’t caught. Not having my boat haunts me every day. But the way I saw things going with these programs that were shoved down our throats, and with regulations put upon us that served no purpose other than to make our lives a living hell, I decided enough was enough.
To the good people of Kodiak I say this. Study very closely the history and consequences of these plans throughout the world. Hell just look at Alaska. And when you do, don’t fall into the trap that the proponents of these plans always seem to use, where they bring the few winners in to speak about how wonderful things are now and how it has changed their lives for the better. Also bring in the many who have lost to tell you what it has done to their lives.
Don’t fall for the divide and conquer tactics that are ripping New England ports apart as we speak