United Fishermen of Alaska, representing 37 Alaska commercial fishing organizations, has called for protections for ongoing sustainable fishing activities in the North Aleutian Basin. The call was based on the federal government decision to move forward with development of oil and gas leases in the area.
UFA president Joe Childers informed that the area under consideration represents over 40 percent of the commercial U.S. fisheries catch including the nation’s richest crab, pollock, cod, halibut, and salmon fisheries, with annual harvests worth more than a half a billion dollars in ex-vessel value. He added that the long-term value to the region and the nation stands on a par with energy needs.
In a letter the group mentioned 14 points of protection and mitigation, including creation of regional citizens advisory councils to be funded by the approved leaseholders following lease sales, and not to wait for funding from production. The group also called for establishment of an adequate fisheries disaster fund to provide compensation to the fishing industry and coastal communities in the event of disruption of fisheries; zero discharges from drilling installations; and inclusion of commercial fishing organizations in the planning process as stakeholders on a par with other cooperating municipal, state and federal agencies.
