Alaska fisheries need Begich

To the editor:

In 2015, the US Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will be reviewing and revising the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This act governs fishery policies in federal waters (200 miles offshore) on issues such as bycatch limits, foreign vessels and international fishing agreements. Alaskans are extremely fortunate to have U.S. Sen. Mark Begich as the chair of this subcommittee.

Begich has already helped fund fish stock assessments, marine research, coastal mapping, and the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. And he has been a strong voice against Frankenfish, the fast-growing GMO fish that could threaten Alaska’s wild salmon.

To keep Alaska fisheries strong and healthy, we need a knowledgeable Alaskan Senator to advocate for federal policies that protect Alaska fisheries. Currently, Chinook salmon runs have declined statewide which may be related to high seas fishing practices. Whether you are a commercial, sport, personal-use or subsistence fisherman, or just want to have salmon on your dinner plate, we need to re-elect Begich to the U.S. Senate to lead the revision of this act.

Kendra Zamzow

Chickaloon