December 22, 2020
The Honorable Anita Dunn, Ted Kaufman, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Cedric Richmond, and Jeffrey Zients Co-Chairs,
Transition Team of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230
VIA ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION
Esteemed Co-chairs and Members of the Transition Team,
We are Alaskan fishermen and we can tell you first hand that climate change has put America’s access to healthy, sustainable wild seafood at stake — and with it, thousands of fishing jobs, businesses, and communities dependent on access to wild seafood. Alaska’s coastal communities and fishermen need your leadership and support in advancing legislation that will help address the underlying causes of climate change, and provide fisheries and fishing-dependent communities with the tools we need to adapt and thrive in this changing world. The cost of inaction is one that we cannot afford.
Alaska’s fisheries are a renewable economic engine and source of nutritious, wild protein for not just Alaska, but our country. Nationally, Alaska produces more wild seafood than any other state in the country and generates $12.8 billion in annual economic output for the U.S. Additionally, Alaska’s commercial fisheries are the single-largest private sector employer in the state, providing more than 37,700 Full Time Equivalent jobs and generating $2.1 billion in annual labor income. In Alaska’s remote but thriving coastal communities, there is little else that can replace the engine of a blue economy.
We are eager to work with the new Administration to build on our fisheries successes. At the same time we are deeply concerned with the approach taken in Title II of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, which proposes to close large sections of America’s federal waters to commercial fishing. Meaningful, equitable engagement with fishing communities must be a prerequisite to establishing broad ocean policy goals. We strongly recommend that you actively involve the people and communities who know best the mysteries of the ocean and who have been sounding the alarm for ocean health for decades as partners in ocean governance.
Areas where federal ocean policy can include and support fishermen and fishing communities:
- Reauthorize and update the Magnuson Stevens Act to include considerations for climate change, ecosystem-based fisheries management, sustained participation in local fisheries by community-based fishermen, and effective bycatch reduction mandates.
- Strengthen fisheries habitat protections by directing all federal agencies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate proposed actions that could adversely impact Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), and require that mitigation recommendations provided by NOAA in EFH consultations be adopted by action/lead agencies prior to permitting.
- Address climate change by strengthening local food systems – Support small scale farms, ranches and fisheries in providing food to local and regional economies. Shorten food supply chains and build food security by reducing reliance on imported food, including seafood.
- Habitat protection in Alaska – Conservation of ocean and freshwater habitats is crucial for every organism in the ocean and for the communities that depend on these resources for survival. We fully support thoughtful measures to protect critical terrestrial salmon habitat areas such as in Bristol Bay and the Tongass National Forest. We urge you to recognize those areas that have already been protected by state or federal bodies to meet specific management objectives and to engage local stakeholders in any discussions of future habitat management actions.
- Global emissions reductions – Ocean scientists have demonstrated that overall emissions reductions are the number one way to slow climate change, ocean acidification and protect our oceans and fisheries. Thus, policies to support carbon reductions are key. A carbon fee and dividend approach would shift the global economy toward nature positive relationships that respect planetary limits.
As fishermen, we have direct and vast knowledge of ocean conditions and the rapid environmental changes taking place. There is no replacing these insights, and you will find no better advocates for ocean health than the people who celebrate, ritualize and rely upon sustainable wild harvest of these resources.
We are excited to work with an administration that prioritizes climate science and is committed to timely actions. We ask that you include us in shaping the future of the environment we live in and depend on. You will find us to be valuable allies, and we welcome any and all opportunities to work together on climate solutions.
Respectfully,
| Tele Aadsen | Bellingham, WA 98229 | F/V Nerka, Bellingham, WA |
| Matt Aboussie | Carbondale, CO 81623 | Bristol Bay, AK |
| Grace Allan | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Orion, Kodiak, AK |
| Keith Anundi | Scio, OR 97374 | F/V Lincoln rock, Wrangell, AK |
| Linda Behnken | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Woodstock, Sitka, AK |
| Nancy Behnken | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Dipper, Sitka, AK |
| Robbi Behr | Chestertown, MD 21620 | Set Gillnetter Egegik, AK |
| Benjamin Blakey | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V N-20, F/V No Limit, SM-3, Sitka |
| Joyanne Bloom | Juneau, AK 99801 | F/V Rainy Dawn, Juneau, AK |
| Bob Bowhay | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Moondance, Kodiak, AK |
| Melanie Brown | Juneau, AK 99802 | Set gillnetter, Naknek River District, AK |
| Margaret Bursch | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Georgette Rose, Homer, AK |
| Benjamin Campen | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V New Sunrise, Sitka AK |
| Emily Capjohn | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Lady Jean, Kodiak, AK |
| Anna Casey Witte | Port Hadlock, WA 98339 | Set Gillnetter, Bristol Bay, AK |
| Sommers Cole | Juneau, AK 99801 | F/V Energizer, Juneau, AK |
| Kate Consenstein | Anchorage, AK 99501 | Anchorage, AK |
| Joseph D’Arienzo | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka, AK |
| Amy Daugherty | Juneau, AK 99801 | AK Trollers Association, Southeast AK |
| Callahan Dillon | Juneau, AK 99801 | F/V Shannon D, Juneau, ak |
| Michael Dinkel | Anchorage, AK 99507 | Retired Fisherman, Anchorage, AK |
| Mike Dunn | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V RADIO, Sitka |
| Tyler Emerson | Juneau, AK 99801 | FV Natalee K, Auke Bay, AK |
| Sean Fansler | Seattle, WA 98105 | F/V Wahoo, Juneau |
| Jeff Farvour | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Apollo, Sitka |
| Joanna Fawcett | Sitka, AK 99835 | Deckhand on F/V DUNA, Sitka AK |
| Jacob Finsen | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka, AK |
| Eric Forrer | Auke Bay, AK 99821 | Retired Fisherman, Juneau, AK |
| Greg Friedrichs | Port Townsend, WA 98368 | F/V Arminta, Port Townsend |
| Meghan Gervais | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Maru, Homer, AK |
| Anjeanette Grant | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka, AK |
| Amy Grondin | Port Townsend, WA 98368 | F/V Arminta, Port Townsend |
| Nathan Gruening | Juneau, AK 99802 | F/V Dawn Treader, Juneau, AK |
| Charmagne Gutierrez | Juneau, AK 99801 | Juneau and Sitka AK |
| Alexandra Hackett | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Myriad, Sitka |
| Adam Hackett | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Myriad, Sitka |
| Eleanor Hand | Cordova, AK 99574 | Pelican,AK and Cordova, AK |
| Kelly Harrell | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka Salmon Shares |
| Evan Hartung | Juneau, AK 99801 | Deckhand, Juneau, AK |
| Lauren Haughey | Uvalde, TX 78801 | Rocky Beach Fish Site, Larsen bay, AK |
| Georgie Heaverley | Anchorage, AK 99508 | Cook Inlet Drift Gillnetter, Anchorage AK |
| Christa Hoover | Cordova, AK 99574 | Prince William Sound Drift |
| Tillie Hope | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka, AK |
| Wesley Humbyrd | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Maria B, Homer, AK |
| Michael Jackson | Bellingham, WA 98225 | F/V Kelley J, Bellingham, WA |
| James Johnson | Seattle, WA 98107 | Union Crews of FVOA Fleet, Seattle, WA |
| Darius Kasprzak | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Marona, Kodiak |
| Peter Keutmann | Petersburg, AK 99833 | F/V Eric, Petersburg, AK |
| George Kirk | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Arcticwave, F/V Phantom, Kodiak, AK |
| Casey Knight | Petersburg, AK 99833 | F/V Canim, F/V Wildfish, Petersburg, AK |
| Michael Kohan | Juneau, AK 99801 | Sitka Salmon Shares |
| Emma Kramer | Girdwood, AK 99587 | F/V Emma Grace, Whittier |
| Dave Kubiak | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Lara Lee, Kodiak, AK |
| Steve Kurian | Bloomsburg, PA 17815 | F/V Ava Jane, Naknek AK |
| Alexus Kwachka | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V No Point, Kodiak,AK |
| Emma Laukitis | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Stanley K, Homer, AK |
| Simon Lawrence | Kwethluk, AK 99621 | F/V St. Gabriel, Kewthluk, AK |
| Stephen Lawrie | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Jennie Leigh, Sitka, AK |
| Madeleine Lightsey | Homer, AK 99603 | Boat Broker, Homer, AK |
| Michael Litman | Sitka, AK 99835 | Precision Boatworks, Sitka, AK |
| James MacKovjak | Gustavus, AK 99826 | Retired Fisherman, Gustavus, AK |
| John Maher | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Mycia, Sitka, AK |
| Christine Manning | Wrangell, AK 99929 | Retired Fisherman, Wrangell, AK |
| Lance McCutcheon | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Kathleen, Sitka, AK |
| Brianne Mecum | Juneau, AK 99801 | F/V Energizer, Juneau, AK |
| Christopher Miller | Juneau, AK 99801 | Deckhand, Bristol Bay, AK |
| Carolyn Nichols | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka, AK |
| Mark Niver | Wasilla, AK 99654 | F/V Surrender, Naknek, AK |
| David Oen | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Endurance, Sitka, AK |
| Zach Olson | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Sassy, Sitka, AK |
| Annika Ord | Juneau, AK 99801 | F/V Williwaw, Juneau, AK |
| Theresa Peterson | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Kenzie Jean, Kodiak, AK |
| Charles Peterson | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Patricia Sue, Kodiak, AK |
| Elizabeth Peterson | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V Kenzie Jean, Kodiak, AK |
| Patricia Phillips | Pelican, AK 99832 | F/V Pacific Dawn, Pelican, AK |
| Norman Pillen | Addy, WA 99101 | F/V Sea Lion, Sitka |
| Lance Preston | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Duna, Sitka, AK |
| Lance Preston | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Duna, Sitka, AK |
| Jacob Privat | Seattle, WA 98122 | F/V Acadian, Cordova, AK |
| Michael Reif | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Sea Roamer, Sitka |
| Jeff Robinson | Petersburg, AK 99833 | F/V Elinor Jane, Petersburg AK |
| Erick Sabo | Goodyear, AZ 85338 | F/V Alsatia, Ekuk, AK |
| Konrad Schaad | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Skua, Homer, AK |
| Megan Schrantz | Girdwood, AK 99587 | F/V Tenacious, Seward, AK |
| Kimberly Seater | Seattle, WA 98146 | Cook Inlet Set Gillnetter, AK |
| Jay Simerka | Port Townsend, WA 98368 | F/V Sydney Jane, Port townsend |
| Marsh Skeele | Sitka, AK 99835 | Sitka Salmon Shares, F/V Loon, Sitka, AK |
| Jeff Stephan | Kodiak, AK 99615 | Independent Fishermens Marketing Association |
| Seth Stewart | Pelican, AK 99832 | F/V Camosun, Pelican, AK |
| Jordan Stover | Homer, AK 99603 | F/V Sophisticated Lady, Homer, AK |
| Tracy Sylvester | Woods Hole, MA 2543 | F/V Faithful, Sitka, AK |
| Peter Thompson | Kodiak, AK 99615 | Kodiak, AK |
| Hailey Thompson | Kodiak, AK 99615 | F/V New Dawn, Kodiak, AK |
| Greg Turner | Delta Junction, AK 99737 | F/V Northern Chase, Skagway AK |
| Pedr Turner | Gustavus, AK 99826 | FV Zapatista, Gustavus, AK |
| Greg Wallace | Kodiak, AK 99615 | Kodiak, AK |
| Cynthia Wallesz | Boise, ID 83706 | F/V Lofoten, Petersburg, AK |
| Stuart Weathers | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V El Tiburon, Sitka,AK |
| Charlie Wilber | Sitka, AK 99835 | F/V Alexa K, Sitka, AK |
| Tim Wilkie | Seward, AK 99664 | F/V Spectre , F/V Karma, Seward, AK. |
| Oceana Wills | Homer, AK 99603 | Deckhand on F/V K2, Homer |
| Verner Wilson III | Dillingham, AK 99576 | F/V Helena Rene, Dillingham, AK |
| Amanda Wlaysewski | Polson, MT 59860 | Kvichak Fish Co., Bristol Bay, AK |