Murkowski spars with Oceana over Alaska environment

On the other hand, by Frank Murkowski

Dear Mr. Ayers:

I read with interest your letter of Sept. 5, which seems to be solely for the purpose of allowing your group, Oceana, to issue a press release chastising me. My crime appears to be standing up for the Alaska fishing industry by condemning the lawsuit recently filed by Oceana and other environmental groups.

I stand by what I said: "That Alaskans could associate themselves with such an attack on Alaska fishermen demonstrates how far out of touch environment extremists are with working Alaskans and their concerns."

Among the misstatements in your letter, you say that I claim that "Oceana's motive is to shut down Alaska salmon fisheries." Hardly.

I cannot even begin to guess what motivates Oceana, or groups like the Center for biological Diversity (your co-plaintiff) which specializes in filing so many lawsuits against the government that even the ever-so-green Clinton Administration said that such lawsuits were actually hampering its efforts to conserve endangered species.

What I actually said was that Oceana's lawsuit "invites a liberal court to impose strict limits on Alaska fishermen that could shut down our state's salmon and longline fishers." I stand by that statement, as well.

You state that you believe Oceana's interest is "aligned with those of Alaska fishermen." You are entitled to that opinion. But then you said you want action on "species at risk of accidental catch and killing," (presumably by fishermen, since that's what your lawsuit says), and you specifically mention Cook Inlet Beluga whales and Steller sea lions. For your information, fishermen are not considered a factor in Cook Inlet Beluga populations, and the Steller sea lion issue revolves around whether fishing has an effect on feeding or prey availability, not "accidental catch and killing."

You said, "It ill serves the public to mischaracterize important issues." I agree. Please stop.

Attacking the fishing industry may increase donations, but it doesn't do anything for conservation. I hope that in the future you and your group will put your efforts into productive areas. For example, instead of looking for a scapegoat, I hope you will support useful research, such as efforts to understand the regime shift that appears to be a key factor in many current changes in wildlife populations off Alaska.

Frank H. Murkowski is a United States

senator.