Sustainable Fisheries for Alaska

Mark Begich recognizes that commercial fishing is an economic backbone for Alaska communities and fishing families throughout the state. With an industry that produces more than 5 billion pounds of seafood worth over $3 billion annually, providing 40,000 in-state jobs and comprising well over half of the nation’s annual seafood production, Mark Begich knows that it is critical to have a strong fisheries advocate in Washington, D.C. Mark Begich has a history of cooperating across party lines and he can effectively represent Alaska’s interest in the majority party. Mark Begich is committed to supporting Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and increasing the economic benefits to Alaska’s communities. As a U.S. Senator, he will work to maintain and strengthen those federal policies that benefit Alaska’s fishing families and communities.

ENSURING ALASKA HAS SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES FAR INTO THE FUTURE

Mark Begich realizes that Alaska’s enviable reputation of having the best managed fisheries in the world will only be maintained with continued federal funding for fishery management and research.

• Mark will work to improve fisheries management to minimize bycatch, protect habitat and ensure the long-term biological and economical sustainability of our fish stocks.
• Mark believes that Alaska’s interests lie in continued reliance on science-based management for establishing fishing policies and that allocation decisions need to be made through an open and transparent process with full community input grounded by strong science.
• Mark will fight to base Alaska related federal fisheries management and ocean research jobs in Alaska, not the lower-48. This will ensure they reflect the needs of Alaska fisheries and bring more federal dollars back to Alaska.
• Mark believes we must do more to enforce international agreements to stop Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and bring it to an end. Mark supports an increased investment in Alaska’s ports, the U.S. Coast Guard presence and increased surveillance to combat the increasing rate of IUU fishing in international waters.

MEETING EMERGING CHALLENGES TO ALASKA’S FISHERIES

Mark Begich is already a national leader on one of the most critical emerging issues facing Alaska’s fisheries – climate change.

• Mark supports aggressive policies that will help the fishing industry minimize greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining profitability.
• Mark will work across party lines to create an Alaska Adaptation Fund as part of national climate change legislation. The Fund will help Alaska communities address the impacts of climate change, such as coastal erosion and damage to infrastructure.
• Mark will work to ensure sound fisheries management in Arctic waters. Mark recognizes that the melting ice cap in the Arctic Ocean will open these waters to commercial fisheries. Mark supports efforts to put strong management plans in place for these fishery resources.
• Mark will push for a strong federal commitment to address ocean acidification that scientists increasingly point to as a serious threat to Alaska’s fisheries.

WORKING FOR ALASKA’S FISHING FAMILIES

While many of Alaska’s coastal communities are struggling economically; challenged by rising energy, food and health care costs, Mark Begich knows that strong fisheries are a key to their long term vibrancy.

• Mark will work to establish a comprehensive energy policy that offers short term relief but focuses on long term solutions to help lower energy costs for fishing families, including new tax credits for fishing families facing high energy costs this year. He will work to expand refinery capacity to lower gas, diesel and home heating fuel prices and increase investment in renewable biofuels research and development that will work in Alaska’s communities.
• Mark will fight to help Alaska fishermen protect their much-reduced Exxon payouts from taxation. Mark was outraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Exxon ruling and will work with Senator Lisa Murkowski to help fishermen mitigate tax penalties on their payouts.
• Mark also recognizes the financial pressure of finding affordable, high quality health care. He believes every Alaskan should have access to the same health care members of Congress receive and supports new funding to ensure it is affordable for every family and small business.
• Mark supports strong marketing programs for Alaska seafood products in the global markets and for creating sustainable economic opportunities such as shellfish aquaculture that are compatible with traditional activities.

BUILDING STRONG ECONOMIES FOR ALASKA COASTAL COMMUNITIES

As Alaska turns 50 this year many of our public roads, bridges, and ports are in disrepair and not up to federal safety standards. Alaska communities also face aging energy infrastructure and record fuel costs. Mark Begich will push for comprehensive energy and infrastructure policies that will ensure Alaska’s coastal communities can keep and attract new small businesses and lower transportation costs.

• Mark supports bipartisan proposals to establish a National Infrastructure Bank to work with state and local governments on financing packages that could include direct subsidies, direct loan guarantees, and long-term tax-credit bonds. This will help coastal communities develop better transportation networks to get seafood products to market.
• Mark will fight for increased funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Mark will commit to building a 21st century, fuel-efficient marine highway system that offers comparable access to Alaska’s coastal communities as enjoyed by communities along Alaska’s land based highway system.
• Mark will fully support the Community Development Quota program that has generated more than $204 million in wages, education and training benefits for 30,000 residents of 65 coastal communities. As Senator, Mark will have open door policy and work with CDQ entities to further their success.