Ocean Companies asks Congressman Jay Inslee why he did not invite fishing interests from his own state to participate in a March 2nd briefing on reviving of coastal economies through healthy, vibrant fisheries and oceans". Mr. Inslee and Congressman Sam Farr of California invited their colleagues to attend a briefing with Dr. William T. Hogarth who headed the National Marine Fisheries Service during the Bush Administration, Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at NOAA, "Buddy" Guindon, a Gulf of Mexico commercial fisherman, and Glen Libby, a Maine commercial fisherman.
The text of the letter from Ocean Companies to Congressman Inslee follows:
Representative Jay Inslee
2329 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-4701
OCEAN COMPANIES
1804 N. Nyhus St.
Westport, WA 98595
CC: Brian Blake (D) 19th Legislative District, Chair Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; Kevin Van De Wege (D) 24th Legislative District, Majority Whip, Member Agriculture and Natural Re- sources Committee; Congressman Norm Dicks (D) 6th District; Senator Maria Cantwell (D); Senator Patty Murray; Governor Christine Gregoire (D); Members WA State Ocean Caucus
Representative Inslee,
We've recently been made aware of a meeting you have arranged on March 2 to discuss the "reviving of coastal economies through healthy, vibrant fisheries and oceans."
While we applaud this effort, as one of the largest processors of Pacific Whiting on the west coast that represents a network of family fishermen who derive their livings from this industry, we cannot help but wonder why you did not think to invite fishing interests from your own state.
Not only because we are your constituents, but more importantly because we have already proven successful strategies for improving stocks and maximizing value in the fishery.
Over the past decade, we have successfully worked to build healthy stocks of fish that had once been considered overfished. West coast fishermen have worked hard to implement strategies both through the Pacific Fishery Management Council and on their own that have effectively improved fish stocks on our coast. These strategies have included area closures, gear modifications, and unparalleled co- operation and communication.
Management of the fishery is of paramount importance to the success of our coastal fishery. After all, if we don't manage the stocks well today, they won't be here in the future.
The west coast fishery represents approximately a $200M industry supporting countless family wage jobs. While it is clearly too late for us to take part in your meeting tomorrow in D.C., we hope that in the future you will think to reach out to your own constituents who have many decades of experience in this fishery with a proven track record of success. If you want a truly national look at our fishery management, it only seems logical that you would want to include the west coast, as well as the east coast and the gulf.Perhaps we could arrange a time in the near future to brief you on the issues that are taking place in your own backyard. The efforts we've already enacted successfully, and the current efforts that are underway with catch shares. What we see as both positive and negative outcomes of the latter.
Because we believe like you that this is an issue of critical importance, we have also cc:d this letter to our state representatives on the Ag and Natural Resources Committee; the coastal caucus, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray; Congressman Norm Dicks; and, Governor Christine Gregoire.
Thank you in advance for your interest in the fishery. We look forward to hearing from your office soon.
Best,
Heidi Happonen
VP Public Relations
Ocean Companies
Westport, Washington
See a PDF of the letter from Ocean Companies.
See the Congressmen's "Dear Colleague" announcing the meeting.