Murkowski spars with Oceana over Alaska environment

On one hand, by Jim Ayers

Editor's Note: This week's On the Other Hand consists of an exchange of letters between Jim Ayers, director of the North Pacific office of Oceana Inc., and U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski. Some minor editing changes have been made to the Ayers letter for space and style reasons.

Dear Senator Murkowski:

I am very disappointed to learn that you have attacked me. In a press statement released last week, you used a recently-filed Oceana lawsuit as a pretext to attack me and my organization, Oceana, for trying to protect the oceans.

You claim that Oceana's motive is to shut down Alaska salmon fisheries. The facts show otherwise. Oceana and other environmental organizations have a long track record of supporting wild Alaska salmon and other fisheries.

Oceana brought this lawsuit to accomplish two things. First, we seek to compel the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to complete a long overdue report to congress concerning its plan and success at reducing the number of marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales, accidentally injured or killed.

Secondly, Oceana's lawsuit seeks to compel NMFS to convene stakeholder committees, specifically including fishermen, known as "Take Reduction Teams" to consider certain species identified as being at risk, including the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale and Steller Sea Lions, and determine what steps are reasonable to reduce the accidental catch and killing of these animals. Alaska's commercial fishermen have a good record of success at avoiding these species.

Why would you object to getting NMFS to complete a required report to you? Why would you try to stop NMFS from forming "take reduction teams" that include fishermen, as required by law, to develop strategies of how to reduce the injury and mortality of marine mammals while maintaining our fisheries?

Senator Ted Stevens has long demonstrated true leadership on ocean and fisheries issues including focusing on science and research. I urge you to join him and begin the long overdue work of making sure that NMFS competently researches and manages our fisheries.

It ill serves the public to issue misleading press releases and mis-characterize important issues on which you should be taking the lead. Alaska needs you to bring people together to face our challenges as Alaskans and Americans. We do not need a senator or gubernatorial candidate that seeks to divide us.

Jim Ayers is a regional director for Oceana, Inc.