April 10, 2015 — The April 8 opinion piece by Stosh Anderson, "Don Young seeks to unwind 'Alaska Model' for fisheries in Magnuson-Stevens Act," fails to represent the facts of the legislation I introduced to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).
To set the record straight, I have always applauded and supported the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for creating an unparalleled system of fisheries management. Through foresight and willingness, our fisheries managers have developed and implemented a management system that is considered the envy of the world, dubbed the “Alaska Model.” This system has worked extremely well in Alaska due to annual stock assessments that provide up-to-date information to fishery managers, a necessary tool for implementing an adaptive management system that allows for the optimal conservation and use of our fishery resources.
My legislation, HR 1335, the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, will not change the way the NPFMC manages our fisheries. Alaska fishermen and the communities they support will continue to reap the benefits of our well-managed fishery resources and the NPFMC will continue to use sound scientific data in their management decisions. Regardless of the changes proposed to the MSA, the NPFMC will continue to utilize innovative practices to be leaders in fisheries management. To suggest otherwise is nothing more than a ploy to mislead the Alaska public and divide those united in providing meaningful reforms to federal fisheries management.
The issue, which was clearly ignored in Stosh Anderson’s commentary, is the application of the “Alaska Model” to the nation’s seven other regional fisheries councils, which was done in 2006 through amendments to the MSA. While the premise of the reform was good, the “Alaska Model” has not worked in other areas of the country as well as envisioned — for a number of reasons.
Read the full opinion piece at Alaska Dispatch News