Protecting America’s Oceans and Fisheries for Sustainable Development

Alaska’s ties to the ocean are marked by superlatives. We have more coastline and adjacent marine waters than the rest of the nation combined.

We have some of largest fisheries in the world, are largest producer of wild salmon, pollock and Pacific halibut, and produce up to 62 percent of the nation’s seafood in any given year.

At a time when other areas struggle with depleted stocks and overfishing, Alaska’s fisheries are considered among the best managed in the world and most of our major stocks certified as “sustainable.”

Commercial fishing is the largest private sector industry in the state, creating some 70,000 jobs annually and driving local economies from the Southeast panhandle to the Bering Sea.

Prime recreational fishing opportunities attract anglers from around the world and are a major part of our growing visitor industry. And many remote villages depend on local fish stocks as an important part of their annual subsistence needs.

With the importance of our oceans and fisheries to the state, Senator Begich is proud to have been named chairman of the Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. They’ve called it “Alaska’s Committee” since every aspect of this subcommittee’s work directly affects our state. 

A large part of our economy is driven by fishing activity in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, and changes underway in the Arctic are focusing more attention on the resource potential in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.

Alaska’s coastal communities are dependent on the seas for transportation, recreation and their economies, driven by the seafood sector. Pilots, fishermen and other mariners have a huge stake the atmospheric research that produces accurate weather forecasts upon which their lives depend.  And the Coast Guard plays a critical role keeping our sea lanes safe, saving lives and providing for the national defense and homeland security. 

Senator Begich’s predecessor, Senator Ted Stevens, held the subcommittee chairmanship for many years, and Senator Begich intends to continue his legacy of economic development of our marine resources guided by stewardship of our oceans and fisheries.  He is committed to growing jobs and economic development of our offshore waters guided by science-based management and principles of sustainability.

The senator supports the work of the regional fishery management councils and treaty organizations involved in our fisheries and wants to ensure they have the tools to make wise decisions to manage our resources and keep our oceans healthy.

He supports research to better understand changes happening to our oceans posed by the warming Arctic, diminishing and thinning icepack, and increased acidification. Senator Begich opposes threats to the our fisheries posed by illegal, unregulated and reported fishing on the high seas and the introduction of genetically-engineered salmon for human consumption.

Alaska depends on our oceans and fisheries, so Senator Begich takes seriously the responsibility as subcommittee chair to grow the nation’s blue economy while protecting its intrinsic values and managing its resources for long term sustainability.