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Session: State Capitol, Room 416 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (877) 465-3719 Phone: (907) 465-3719 Fax: (907) 465-3258 Send E-Mail Interim: 119 N Cushman Street, Suite 211 Fairbanks, AK 99701 Phone: (907) 456-5081 Fax: (907) 456-8245 |
Coghill Says Alaska Should Be In On Negotiations With Canada
For Immediate Release: May 10, 1999
Contact: Representative John Coghill at (907) 465-3719
Juneau -- Today the Alaska State Senate voted unanimously to adopt HJR 26 sponsored by Representative John Coghill (R-Fairbanks). Rep. Coghill said he introduced HJR 26 to encourage the federal government to begin a dialog with Canada and Alaska over the disputed maritime boundaries between Canada and Alaska.
The federal government established a maritime boundary with Canada between Maine and Nova Scotia fourteen years ago. Since the late 1970's the Alaska Trollers Association has requested assistance from the U.S. State Department but Alaska has received no assistance in resolving the problem.
In 1976 the United States unilaterally expanded its territorial waters from the 12-mile traditional limit to the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in hopes that everyone else would follow suit. Canada, however, maintains the A/B Line in the Dixon Entrance as its maritime boundary.
During committee hearings on the resolution Captain Vince O'Shea, Chief of Maritime Operations Plans and Policy Division of the 17th District United States Coast Guard, testified about the enforcement problem. He said that the U.S. has had an agreement with Canada since 1977 as to how to enforce laws in the disputed waters. Under the agreement each country enforces its fishing rules on its own vessels in the disputed area. In 1980 Canadian officers took law enforcement action against U.S. trollers operating in the disputed waters claiming the agreement did not apply to nontraditional fisheries in the area. The issue has been debated every since.
During debate on the Senate floor today, Senator Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell) said the only solution to the ongoing disputes over fishing rights, mineral rights, transportation rights, and other rights of Alaskans, Canadians and the federal government is the establishment of a maritime boundary.
This resolution also clarifies that the sovereignty, territory, jurisdiction, and property rights of Alaska must be protected. "Any negotiations on a maritime boundary with Canada must include participation of representatives of the State of Alaska," said Rep. Coghill. The resolution will now go to Alaska's congressional delegation, President Clinton, and Secretary of State Madeline Albright.