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GOA Rockfish Pilot Program
While the Council is formulating a
comprehensive rationalization program for all groundfish in the Gulf
of Alaska to address similar problems in other fisheries, a short-term
solution is needed to stabilize the community of Kodiak. Kodiak has
experienced multiple processing plant closures, its residential work
force is at risk due to shorter and shorter processing seasons and the
community fish tax revenues continue to decrease as fish prices and
port landings decrease. Congress recognized these problems and
directed the Secretary in consultation with the Council, to implement
a pilot rockfish program. all aspects of the economic portfolio of the
fishery needs to recognized for the fishery to be rationalized. All
the historical players – harvesters (both catcher vessels and catcher
processors) and processors need to be recognized in a meaningful way.
The demonstration program is designed as a short-term two-year program
for immediate economic relief until comprehensive GOA rationalization
can be implemented.
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