 Calls for Increased Marine Research, Ratification of Pollutants Treaty April 22, 2002
"The earth is known as the Blue Planet because three-quarters of it is covered by oceans that are so vital to the people and wildlife that populate it," Knowles said. "As we mark Earth Day--a time to celebrate life on the Blue Planet--let us recommit ourselves and our resources to better protecting the oceans that are so important to the health and economy of Alaskans and all residents of our world." With more coastline than the rest of America combined and Alaska's fishing industry one of the nation's most important, the Governor: · Directed the state Department of Fish and Game to make marine habitat top priority, and called on the Commissioner to report to the Governor on the status of ocean habitat and measures needed to protect sensitive habitat types, such as deep water corals, that may be important to fish and ecosystem production. · Called on the Commissioner of Fish and Game to also assess marine habitat protection needs in federal waters, with an eye toward conservation actions by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council that will ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our ocean resources. · Urged Congress and the President to take quick, strong action to ratify and fully implement the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) treaty recently agreed to by the United States negotiators and submitted to the U.S. Senate by President Bush. Knowles said no place on earth better expresses the importance of Earth Day than Alaska, as no state in America is more blessed by, and dependent on, the abundance of the ocean. Alaska has 33,000 miles of coastline and the continental shelf of the rich, productive Bering Sea is larger than the combined area of California, Oregon, and Washington. About 100 million seabirds reside in Alaska's marine waters during some part of the year, with 40-60 million seabirds breeding in Alaska each year, accounting for more than 95 percent of the breeding seabirds in the entire United States. Alaska's commercial and recreational fisheries are among the most significant in the world. Fishing is Alaska's largest private employer, accounting for about 47 percent of private sector basic jobs with some 75,000 people in Alaska receiving all or part of their income from commercial fishing and seafood processing. Sport fishing directly supports 6,600 jobs and indirectly supports another 2,600 jobs, generating about $230 million in annual income. Much of the state's tourism industry takes place along the coast and through Alaska's seas. It directly supports 17,000 Alaska jobs and another 8,500 indirectly. Subsistence hunting and fishing, much of it in oceans and watersheds, supports the equivalent of 2,000 jobs that are valued at estimated $60 million in annual income. "Protection of our oceans and watersheds is critical to the continued health of our economy," the Governor said. "Alaskans are passionately committed to maintaining our wild and abundant resources that the very word Alaska symbolizes." Knowles directed Fish and Game Commissioner Frank Rue to ensure that Alaska's marine waters are protected and that Alaska's marine habitat is a top department priority. "Alaska has some of the world's greatest fisheries yet scientists tell me they know more about the moon than the earth's ocean and the habitat needed to sustain fisheries and ocean ecosystems," Knowles said. "That's why the State of Alaska must be proactive and make sure sensitive ocean habitats receive adequate protection now. We simply cannot gamble with our most sensitive ocean habitats when we are just beginning to understand their profound importance." Finally, the Governor noted that Alaska's ocean resources are threatened by toxic pollutants from around the world which travel on air and ocean currents, and accumulate in Alaska's Arctic habitat. Despite the international POPs treaty negotiated by the U.S. and signed by over 120 countries, recent legislation introduced by The White House fails to adequately address the issue of future POPs. According to the news release, Knowles is writing the President and Congress to stop the ongoing pollution of our oceans by these persistent organic chemicals by fully implementing a strong POPs treaty. The United States Environmental Protection Agency must have the authority to lift dangerous chemicals in the future through a thorough scientific process rather than allowing years or decades of delay. Since May of 2000, Knowles has served on the Pew Oceans Commission, an independent national forum dedicated to the restoration and protection of living marine resources in America's waters. Chaired by former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, and including distinguished scientists and scholars from throughout the U.S., the Commission will make formal recommendations for improved ocean stewardship in a report to Congress and the nation at the end of the year.
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