Dear Editor,
On behalf of Cordova District Fishermen United, I am writing to inform the community of Cordova that our organization’s position, by unanimous vote of the board of directors, on Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 are as follows:
Cordova District Fishermen United supports Proposition 1, which would allow the City of Cordova to issue harbor revenue bonds in the principal amount of up to $5 million for the purpose of harbor repair and replacement. We believe the South Harbor is in dire need of repair, and without funding available, will become increasingly unusable for our fleet.
Cordova District Fishermen United does not support Proposition 2, which would result in a 0.5 percent raw fish tax. This tax would place undue burden on local processors, local direct marketers, and on the portion of the fleet that delivers to local processors. It has the potential to result in a lower grounds price and ex-vessel earnings for Area E fishermen.
It is our opinion that harbor upgrades are necessary and that a bond will help the City of Cordova secure further funding from state and federal grants to complete the repairs. However, because the burden of a tax will be placed on only a portion of the commercial users of local harbor facilities, and not shared by all users of the harbor, including recreational vessels and vessels that engage in commercial activities unrelated to fishing, we cannot support funding the bond through a raw fish tax. We recommend that revenues to fund the bond be secured in ways that share the financial burden amongst all users of the harbor.
For further questions regarding CDFU’s position on these propositions, please contact our office at 907-424-3447 or email me at director@cdfu.org.
— Chelsea Haisman
Cordova
Chelsea Haisman is the Executive Director of Cordova District Fishermen United, a non-profit organization that represents and advocates on behalf of the commercial fishermen of Area E.
