Full document: <http://www.nps.gov/glba/fedreg.htm> 
Alaska Wildlife Alliance e-mail: <awa@akcache.com>

The National Park Service (NPS) is inviting comments on whether to allow commercial fishing in the waters of Glacier Bay National Park.

Their proposal is  to allow commercial fishing in park waters outside Glacier Bay proper and to allow "certain limited exemptions" over a 15-year (sic) phase-out within Glacier Bay itself.  They also propose permitting the continuation of a research crab fishery within the bay for the next 5 to 7 years.  This in spite of a court order obtained by Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA) to prohibit all commercial fishing in the park's especially designated "wilderness" waters where the crabbing takes place.

Points suggested by AWA:
1) Commercial resource extraction, including fishing, is inappropriate in any National Park.  Our National Parks are supposed to be preserved "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations" (NPS Organic Act)  The commercial extraction of critical species in its marine ecosystem can hardly be compatible with preserving Glacier Bay "unimpaired".

2) Commercial fishing boats add to vessel traffic congestion in Glacier Bay which threatens endangered humpback whales.  Commercial fishing nets, traps, and other equipment are also a threat to whales and other marine mammals.

3) The NPS has not proven that fishing does not harm "park values", including wilderness, scenery, wildlife habitat, and visitor experience.

4) The NPS should abide by the court's decision and end commercial fishing in Wilderness waters immediately.  Commercial fishing for crab as part of a research project should not be excepted.  Research in a national park should not involve private profit at the expense of park resources.

5) The phase-out of fishing inside Glacier Bay itself is far too long.  It would be foolhardy to believe that any phase-out could survive 15 years of politics.  AWA suggests a maximum 3-year phase-out only for those fishers who can demonstrate a long history of fishing there.

COMMENTS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15

Send to: James M. Brady, Superintendent
                  Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
                  PO Box 140
                 Gustavus AK 99826         

e-mail <glba_administration@nps.gov>

AWA: POB 202022
           Anchorage AK 99520   
           907-277-0897                              e-mail <awa@akchache.com>

Thank you for providing the opportunity for citizens to contribute to the decision-making process regarding commercial fishing in Glacier Bay National Park.  I commend your resolve to settle this issue before the end of the year.

In consideration of the stated purpose of the park --to preserve "unique marine ecosystems",and scientific values, and to provide enjoyment,--I point out on behalf of our members that commercial fishing interferes with all three objectives.

The proposed 15-year phase-out of commercial fishing is not practical.  At the end of 15 years, the park is likely to be facing the same decision it faces today.  Unfortunately, decisions on the environment for greater public good are likely to cause individual hardship.  For this reason only, there could be perhaps a 3-year maximum phase-out of commercial fishing within the bay with perhaps an additional  year, for a total of 4, in park waters outside Glacier Bay itself.  This would apply only to fishers who can show that they have fished in the bay for an extended period (20 years or more?), not to those who have moved in more recently.  Further delay will not make the change any easier and even this much delay interferes with the qualities the park is devoted to preserving.

It is obvious that commercial fishing interferes with the natural ecosystem the park was formed to preserve.  Modern fishing technology has the unfortunate side effect of killing birds marine mammals (including endangered humpbacks), and unwanted species of fish and other marine life.  Removing large quantities of  any species affects the entire food chain.  For these reasons alone, it is important to eliminate fishing in this special area.

There is probably already too much traffic on Glacier Bay, which should be controlled  for the good of the park.  Besides the presence of boats on the surface, there is the almost constant noise of their motors beneath the surface, which is bound to affect marine life.  In addition to adding to noise and pollution, commercial fishing boats almost inevitably contribute to floating debris which ensnares birds and marine animals.

The study involving commercial fishing for crabs in a particularly sensitive "wilderness" area should be phased out along with other fishing, perhaps even sooner as the results of the study are unlikely to apply to an area where commercial fishing will not take place.

On behalf of our membership and people everywhere, I hope you will be able to preserve this park, which should qualify for listing as a "world heritage" site if it hasn't already been designated as such.