Marine Debris Removal
Dear Editor: The Sitka Sound Science Center would like to thank the U.S. Coast Guard for helping remove more than 1,240 pounds of marine debris from Shoals Point on Kruzof Island. Marine debris removal efforts on Southeast Alaska’s outer coast are challenging due to rugged terrain and limited shore accessibility. This removal project would not have been possible without the time and resources contributed by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka to lift debris from Shoals Point.
The marine debris removed was collected during the fourth annual Jamie Gorman Memorial Beach Cleanup that took place in mid-August. The cleanup involved more than 27 community volunteers. We are also grateful for vessel support from Matt Stroemer Sea Piper Tours, Patrick Davis Sitka Seamarine Wildlife Tours, and John Dunlap Alaska Wild Coast.
We would also like to thank the volunteers – Karl Martinsen, Ryan Nichols, Eva Fish Campen and Lisa Busch – who loaded, dragged and staged marine debris in super sacks for the USCG to remove, as well as Rick Jarvill Coastal Tours Sitka, for safely getting the crew to and from shore.
We look forward to continuing marine debris cleanups with our community partners. With gratitude,
Zofia Danielson,
Sitka Sound Science Center and
Kristina Tirman,
Ocean Conservancy
Tourism MOU
Dear Editor: The draft memorandum of understanding between the City of Sitka and the Sitka Dock Co. LLC (cruise ship terminal) is coming up for reconsideration at Tuesday’s Assembly meeting.
The “recitals” (providing context and background) included in the MOU, state, in part: “The protection of destination is a vital element of responsible tourism,” and “Sitka, as an island community, is limited in its resources and must carefully consider how it can transition to a more sustainable future without causing undue harm to the environment or the livelihoods of its residents.”
Yes! I believe we can all agree with these statements! Unfortunately, the actual MOU makes no mention of these critical factors, let alone offering any way to address them.
Literally millions of gallons of waste-water containing sulfur, nitrates, nitrites, lead, copper and mercury, among other acidic elements, are discharged via their “scrubber” systems into our local waters daily by most of the ships visiting Sitka. Scrubber systems reduce air pollution by flushing contaminants out of exhaust fumes and pumping the waste overboard. This allows ships to burn cheaper crude oil to boost their profits, but further harms our already threatened fish stocks and with it our fishing industry and subsistence needs.
The MOU purports to maintain a 5,000-7,000 daily passenger limit, which by itself could easily allow a million passengers a season if every day of a 150-day season was maxed out, but is worded vaguely enough that that daily cap can easily be exceeded.
The city agrees to limit ships to its docks to help meet the cap, resulting in lost city revenues, and potentially eliminating smaller, cleaner ships (who require no bus transport), while the non-binding agreement doesn’t place a commensurate onus on the cruise dock.
The proposed term of the MOU is five years, is non-binding and doesn’t really cap the numbers as stated. I believe the Assembly’s approval and acceptance will provide nothing more than a false sense of having taken a positive step, will delay meaningful action and make it harder to negotiate more specific terms with the dock owners in the future. If you agree, urge Assembly members to vote against approval, in person at the meeting on Tuesday, or email assembly@cityofsitka.org. Find a full copy of the MOU in the meeting packet published by close of business today.
Barbara Bingham, Sitka
Tourism Task Force (Winter 2023-24)
Sustainability Seat
