Senator Murkowski Launches New Radio Ad
New Ad Critical of Knowles' Role in Pew Oceans Report
Washington, D.C. - Senator Lisa Murkowski unveiled a new radio ad criticizing Tony Knowles' role in the Pew Commission's 2003 Ocean Report. Knowles sat on the Pew Ocean's Commission and endorsed the final report which is heavily criticized by Alaskan fisherman, fishery industry authorities and Alaska's Congressional Delegation.
Funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, an organization on record as being against increased oil production on the North Slope and against timber harvesting in the Tongass, the Pew Commission recommended that:
- Congress establish an independent "national oceans agency" outside the Commerce Department.
- Congress should pass a National Ocean Policy Act creating "regional ecosystem councils." These councils would supplant the existing councils that now advise the commerce secretary on regulation of commercial fishing.
- Congress should mandate a national system of marine reserves where fishing and other human activities would be banned.
Imposing new federal taxes on fishermen.
"Because of our regional councils and our care for both the industry and the environment, Alaska has the best managed fisheries in the country," Senator Murkowski said. "What came out of the Pew Report was a call for no less than five new layers of federal bureaucracies that would reduce our regional fishery councils to an advisory status and mandated that vast portions of our oceans be off limits. Alaska's fight for statehood was fought in part for local control of our fisheries. We've proven we are up to the task and the last thing we need is more federal control over our fisheries and oceans."
Knowles served as member of the Pew Commission and appeared at the unveiling of the report in Washington in June of 2003.
"Tony Knowles needs to explain to Alaskans and Alaska's fisherman how he could endorse a report that recommended handing over the control of our fisheries to environmentalists and outsiders in Washington, DC," Murkowski said.