Fairbanks -- Representative John Coghill (R-North Pole) said he was disappointed that Canada decided to seize Dale Bosworth and his Alaska fishing boat rather than sit at a negotiating table and resolve the disputed maritime boundary between Alaska and Canada. The Alaska State Legislature passed a Joint Resolution sponsored by Coghill in May that encourages 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. Canadian fishermen blockaded an Alaska Marine Highway Ferry in Prince Rupert two years ago and Alaska fisherman have complained in recent years about harassment from Canadian fishing boats.

Donna Sheridan in the Governor's Office in Juneau confirmed today that the resolution calling for negotiations has been transmitted to President Clinton, Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and Alaska's congressional delegation. Representative Coghill 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. In light of yesterday's seizure Representative Coghill transmitted a letter to Secretary Albright today calling for immediate maritime boundary negotiations.