Gulf of Alaska Rockfish 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.


Documents and Council Motions

2009

2008

2007

2005

2004