PRESS RELEASE
October 14, 2010
 

CDFU Endorsement of Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate

Cordova District Fishermen United (CDFU), representing 300 members and 1,000 fishing families in Prince William Sound, Alaska, voted to endorse write-in candidate Senator Lisa Murkowski for the United States Senate at its Board of Directors' meeting on October 8, 2010.

Thanks to Senator Murkowski’s tireless work on behalf of 32,000 ExxonValdez plaintiffs, settlement recipients were eligible for tax deferment through one-time retirement account contributions, and were not subject to self-employment tax on their settlement. Senator Murkowski recognized that after 20 years, plaintiffs had waited long enough for retribution and compensation for their losses, and worked to ensure that the settlements they received were maximized. She stood by fishermen in Washington D.C. prior to the release of the U.S Supreme Court’s decision in Exxon vs. Baker to demand justice for the plaintiffs in the case.

Senator Murkowski recognizes that never again can we put our waters at risk of another major oil spill. Legislation first introduced by Senator Murkowski led to the mandate that oil tankers have a two-tug escort when transiting the Port of Valdez. Senator Murkowski was instrumental in securing mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL), including wild and farmed labeling for fish and seafood. This achievement has increased consumer confidence in their seafood purchases, set apart wild Alaska seafood in the marketplace, and led to an increase in the ex-vessel price paid to fishermen. In addition to this, as a further benefit to Alaska’s fishing industry, Senator Murkowski is standing up and fighting for the FDA to reject genetically altered salmon.

Alaska commercial fishermen appreciate the work of Senator Murkowski to extend a moratorium on EPA vessel discharge permit requirements. Without this moratorium, tens of thousands of fishermen would have been mandated to prepare cumbersome discharge permit paperwork during their busy summer fishing season. Senator Murkowski knows and understands the needs and unique challenges of rural Alaska, and recognizes that Alaska provides more than half of the volume and value of the nation’s wild caught seafood and is economically significant in Alaska. She understands the hurdles that small coastal fishing communities must overcome so that they can stay in business. She has fought for better roads, funding for more economical energy grids and the development of basic infrastructure that is taken for granted in the lower 48 states.

With a proven track record, Senator Murkowski is dedicated and committed to Alaska fisheries. She is well positioned within the Senate to continue to promote and persuade others of the importance of maintaining sustainable fisheries as well as safeguarding the habitat upon which our fisheries depend. "CDFU is proud to endorse write-in candidate Senator Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate. With the number of federal issues approaching Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, it is vital we have someone with proven experience and leadership to represent our interests. This is the only way we will get things done,” said CDFU president Jerry McCune “We appreciate all of the work she has done over the years to keep commercial fishermen in business, and we encourage our members to write in MUR-KOW-SKI on November 2.”

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