Murkowski to McDonald’s: Alaska’s Fisheries Are Protected, Sustainable
Senator Urges CEO to Reject Greenpeace Campaign Against Pollock
Senator Lisa Murkowski today reached out to the President and CEO of McDonald’s, urging him to ignore an anti-fishing campaign from Greenpeace that is attempting to shut down one of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world. Murkowski cites McDonald’s own website and promotional materials touting the company’s support for Alaska Pollock sourced from a “wild-caught and sustainable fishery.”
(McDonald’s own website stresses the superiority of the Bering Sea fishery.)
For years, Greenpeace and other environmental groups have attempted to mischaracterize the Bering Sea Canyons as imperiled by commercial fishing. In her letter to McDonald’s President and CEO Donald Thomson, Murkowski informs him that “nothing could be further from the truth,” noting that the Bering Sea Canyons – like all of Alaska’s waters – are protected and sustainably managed:
“There are two entities with responsibility for federal fisheries management off the coast of Alaska: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. The North Pacific Council s recognized through the country for its dedication to utilizing scientific research and data when making decisions… Both [agencies] have recently concluded this portion of the Bering Sea is not at risk from fishing activities.”
Senator Murkowski closed the letter by inviting Thomson to come to Alaska himself to witness Alaska’s world-class fisheries firsthand.
Background: Senator Lisa Murkowski, co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus, was chosen to speak at the Global Oceans Summit last month, where she highlighted Alaska’s sustainable fisheries management before an audience of officials from around the world saying “we have a great story to tell” with Alaska’s fishing industry.
