Alaska's Fisheries By Mead Treadwell August 19, 2014
Imagine this: two of Alaska’s GOP candidates for US Senate have virtually no experience with Alaska’s commercial fisheries! They have skipped debates – like the one traditionally scheduled during Kodiak Crabfest – where questions have been asked and answered statewide on fisheries every election for decades. Just this week, one candidate skipped a statewide television debate beamed to 26 rural radio and TV stations, most of which are on Alaska’s coast. If I hadn’t put forth fisheries questions at past debates, this race would have had no discussion on fish. Yet the Senator we elect will play a major role on the renewal of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, solving the problem of Russian bycatch of our salmon, getting good science dollars to set the right catch limits, and staving off those who would shut down fisheries in Alaska. Throughout my entire career, I have pushed to build our fisheries. I took the heat – and am being sued as Lt. Governor – for keeping an anti-setnet initiative off the ballot. One of my opponents took a shot at me for talking to Russia at this time, but we did – because we have to push to get data on their bycatch of Alaska-bound salmon. This same candidate can’t understand why his past advocacy for genetically modified foods could hurt Alaska’s battle against Frankenfish – (i.e. genetically modified salmon.) Another opponent argues with the work I’ve done, on behalf of Alaska, to fight oil spills in the North Pacific and the Bering Sea. My vision of Alaska’s fisheries is that we must build, defend, and harvest at a sustainable yield our wild stocks – and that we must push hard to get more from each fish we take – in price, in value added dollars, in use of what was once waste, and in reach in global markets. As a US Senator, I will help our coastal communities stay competitive, with clean and safe water, safe transportation (King Cove residents know I am with them in their battle for a road to Cold Bay), and low-cost power. To represent Alaska, you have to know Alaska. I respectfully ask for your vote. Here’s why: My first job in Alaska, forty years ago, was helping former Gov. Wally Hickel in the fight for the 200 mile limit. That was the mid-1970’s. In the late 70’s, I joined Alaska fishermen who started the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute – that’s when it was a membership organization. In 1989, I worked with Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Kodiak fishing communities to respond to the Exxon Valdez, and helped create the Prince William Sound Science Center and two Regional Citizens Advisory Councils to prevent new oil spills. In the 1990’s, I worked to again, as a member of Governor Hickel’s cabinet to support our hatcheries, our processors vs. the EPA, our Dungeness crab fleet against the FDA, and for creation of our Community Development Quota (CDQ) program that has done wonders for western Alaska. And as Lt. Governor, I’ve pushed Russia – through our ties in the Arctic – to help us deal with the issue of bycatch which is challenging our salmon returns. More important, I understand the challenges we face in Washington. I learned from Ted Stevens who told us vote for the fish, and abundance will take care of our challenges. Ocean policy and Arctic policy and Fishing policy have a whole lot in common, and we’ve pushed back on Ocean Zoning and new layers of government that could make our fish management more difficult. In at least three debates with my opponents, I’ve asked the questions Dan Sullivan and Joe Miller didn’t want to answer. Their experience with our fisheries which employ 50,000 people – none. Their views on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization, how to improve marine science in Alaska, how to expand the industry – none. Dan Sullivan made a big push as a federal official to force Europe to accept GMOs, genetically modified organisms, in food. I asked him in a debate how that squares with Alaskans’ concerns about Frankenfish – genetically modified salmon. His arguments with the Europeans mirror those used by people supporting Frankenfish, and if he’s a Senator, he’ll be arguing with himself. My son Will was a deckhand last year in Bristol Bay, and hopes to return after this campaign summer. Our three kids all support the fishing industry and have worked with me to help bring thousands of kids to the Alaska SeaLife Center as a memorial to their Mom after her death and hundreds of kids to Cordova’s Prince William Sound Science Center. As chair of the US Arctic Research Commission, I pushed hard for the North Pacific Research Board to help support better management. I opposed attempts by the Bush Administration to introduce offshore finfish farming, and as Lt. Governor pushed to help grow our shellfish mariculture industry in state waters. At the Boston Seafood Show in 2011, I helped ASMI introduce the new procedure we use to certify the sustainability of Alaska seafood to chefs worldwide. Today, Alaska’s federally managed fisheries are under attack by non-governmental organizations. They claim to be protecting the environment, when their true goal is to close important commercial fishing grounds that have been well managed for many years under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The recent announcement by the Obama administration to open up nominations to close off more areas to commercial fishing is of great concern. I’ll fight this new process, and let the Council do its job based on science. Many Alaska fishermen will vote in the Republican primary August 19. I hope you do too, and that you help us make sure the GOP sends someone who knows fish. Help me bring the voice of Alaska fishermen to Washington, and help me send a message to those funded by big Outside interests that Alaskans can pick their own Senator, thank you! With your support and vote, I will be your voice and ally in Washington. Sincerely, Mead Treadwell About: Mead Treadwell is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Mead Treadwell is Alaska’s 13th and current Lieutenant Governor. Received August 19, 2014 - Published August 19, 2014
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