United States Senator Lisa Murkowski

Alaska's Fisheries

Alaska has the most abundant and sustainably managed fisheries in the nation. Alaska harvests have averaged nearly five billion pounds a year for the past 20 years and account for approximately 60 percent of the fish harvested in the United States. If Alaska were a country, it would rank 9th in the world in seafood harvest. Alaska's commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries are at the heart of coastal Alaska and the economic livelihood for more than 60,000 Alaskans who are directly or indirectly employed in the industry. Commercial fisheries contribute $5.8 billion to Alaska's economic output, while Alaskans and visitors spend $800 million annually to sport hunt and fish. Subsistence fisheries fulfill crucial economic, nutritional and cultural needs for many Alaskans. However, probably the most important common trait seen across these industries and communities is their dependence on well-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 with both legislation and from her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee. She is on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, which is in charge of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) budget, including NOAA fisheries. She has obtained funding for fisheries and marine mammal research and management, as well as Yukon and Pacific Salmon Treaty implementation. Sen. Murkowski is also on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees the United States Coast Guard. The U. S. Coast Guard has the 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. Sen. Murkowski actively supports the Coast Guard's budget to insure that the service maintains the necessary presence.

Sen. Murkowski is engaged in many other issues that affect fisheries including Endangered Species Act listings such as the Western Population of Stellar Sea Lions and the recent Critical Habitat listing for the Cook Inlet Beluga whale. She has provided comments to the National Ocean Policy Task Force on marine spatial planning and is actively tracking the development of a national off-shore aquaculture policy. Sen. Murkowski continues to work on other fisheries issues that can help our fishermen expand markets for wild Alaska seafood, including canned salmon in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, international food aid and school lunch programs. She is involved in discussions on increasing seafood safety and promoting the health benefits of Alaska's abundant sustainable wild fisheries.