The joint resolution has directed the United States to negotiate an international agreement for managing fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. The measure now heads to the President for his signature. Senator Stevens told that Alaska has set the gold standard in ensuring robust fish stocks for commercial, recreational, and subsistence purposes. According to him science-based management has kept fisheries a cornerstone of our economy and preserved an important piece of Alaska Native culture. He said that global climate change is opening up the Arctic and we must act to protect its fisheries.
Senator Murkowski opined that conserving our fish stocks requires action both domestically and internationally. He also said that the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council is taking action to develop a fisheries management plan for the Chukchi and Beauford Seas. He told that Congress must now ensure that steps are taken to create an international framework for the management of fisheries in Arctic waters.
Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) opined that Alaskan fishermen have worked both at home in our own waters, through the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and in international regional fishery organizations to make sure that North Pacific Ocean and
Bering Sea fisheries are sustainably managed and that management is based on sound science.
It is said that the resolution makes it clear that the United States wants this track record of sound management to continue into new areas of the Arctic Ocean if they become open to fishing. Now the commercial fishing in Arctic Ocean has been limited by the distribution of fish habitat and short fishing seasons.
