Issue Position: Alaska's Fisheries

Issue Position

Alaska's fisheries are the most abundant and sustainably managed in the nation. Alaska leads all states in terms of both volume and value of commercial fisheries with approximately 1.84 million metric tons worth $1.3 billion -- accounting for over 52% of the nation's commercial seafood harvests. Alaska's commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries are at the heart of coastal Alaska and the economic livelihood for more than 80,000 Alaskans who are directly, induced, or indirectly employed in the industry. As diverse as these fisheries may be, the most important common trait seen across these industries and communities is their dependence on intelligently managed marine resources. These fisheries rely heavily on good science and proper guidance from resource managers.

Senator Murkowski has supported Alaska's fisheries and coastal communities through legislation and her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sitting on the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, she has a role in the direction and budgeting priorities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes fisheries oversight. As federal budgets decline, she has worked to maintain critical funding for fisheries and marine mammal research and management, as well as Yukon and Pacific Salmon Treaty implementation.

Senator Murkowski is also on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the United States Coast Guard. The U. S. Coast Guard has a critical role in the monitoring and enforcement of fisheries as well as providing the primary safety mission with search and rescue operations in Alaskan waters. Senator Murkowski actively supports the Coast Guard's budget to ensure that the service maintains the necessary presence in Alaska.

Tsunami Debris

The Senator is engaged in other issues affecting coastal communities, including urging relevant federal agencies to work with state, local, and tribal officials to develop a strategic response to increasing tsunami debris in Alaska.

In January of 2012, Senator Murkowski heard the rising levels of concern from Alaskans regarding the threat of tsunami debris to the shoreline, and convened a Tsunami Debris Roundtable that was live-streamed statewide -- so that the entire state could hear expert testimony about what was being seen and forecasted.

In July 2012, Senator Murkowski took to the U.S. Senate floor with a speech stressing the need for federal coordination as the issue of tsunami debris affects five different states and a number of federal agencies. She has asked the White House to form a task force among related bureaus and agencies that deal with similar issues, including the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Interior, Homeland Security, and State.

The Senator reiterated her concerns and the importance of the federal government in the clean-up process during a speech on March 11, 2013 to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of this tragic event (see video below).

With an estimated 1.5 million tons of debris still floating in the Pacific Ocean, Senator Murkowski realizes that after two years the threat posed by tsunami debris is still very real to the 33,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. On April 11, 2013 the Senator questioned Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank about NOAA's national marine debris removal program and was pleased to hear the Commerce Department is working to provide increased funding levels to deal with future marine debris in impacted states. Funding could increase 20 percent in FY14.

Salmon Run Shortage

In August 2012, Senator Murkowski joined the Alaska delegation in support of Govern Sean Parnell's request for a disaster declaration for the Upper Cook Inlet region. The request came in response to concerns raised by the Alaska Federation of Natives as well as commercial, recreational and subsistence stakeholders after low Chinook salmon returns throughout the state. The delegation letter can be viewed here.

In September the Department of Commerce recognized that request and declared a commercial fishery failure on the Kuskokwim River, Yukon River, and in the Upper Cook Inlet-- making future federal aid possible for impacted regions.

The Senator understands that fisheries are critical to Alaska's economy, culture and lifestyle, and the anemic King runs last season have hurt numerous areas in the state and deserves the attention and assistance of the federal government. Senator Murkowski believes the Commerce declaration demonstrates that the Alaska delegation clearly made their case to the federal government and they see the disastrous impacts of low salmon runs on Alaska.

The declaration is a positive advancement for Alaska, but it is just the first step of a lengthy process. The time involved between a declaration decision and disbursement of funds can take over a year. For more information on federal fishery disaster assistance, please visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/sf3/disaster.htm.

In the meantime Senator Murkowski is working to obtain relief for Alaskans. The Senator sponsored an amendment that was adopted to the Senate's FY14 Budget Resolution that would authorize funds for federally-recognized fisheries disasters in Alaska and other states. She told her Senate colleagues that fisheries disasters are no different than farm droughts and need to be addressed.

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