Letter to Secretary Penny Pritzker, Dept. of Commerce - Alaskan Crab Fishery

Press Release

The Honorable Penny Pritzker
Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary Pritzker:

Legislation passed by the Senate and House last night and signed into law by President Obama ended the unnecessary federal shutdown. As government services are resumed, we request NOAA Fisheries prioritize the issuance of quota permits to allow the prompt opening of the Bristol Bay Red King Crab fishery.

The Bristol Bay Red King Crab fishery in Alaska's Bering Sea was set to open October 15 but has been delayed due to the federal government shutdown. This delay costs each participating fishing vessel approximately $1,000 per day as they wait for the opening. As outlined in our previous letter, larger economic losses are threatened by extended closure of this fishery.

A tremendous amount of work went into preparing for this fishery such as determination of the total allowable catch. However, due to the federal government shutdown there has been no staff to process the final, routine administrative paperwork to allow these crab fishermen to get to work.

We realize the Department of Commerce faces significant challenges as you restart your agency to meet its federal responsibilities following the government shutdown. However, we ask you prioritize the prompt opening of this fishery which is tied to countless fishing, processing, support industry and associated jobs in our home states of Alaska and Washington.

Fishing families are eager to get to work. Please help us minimize the economic impact this unnecessary shutdown has had on our coastal economics by making a priority of opening the Bristol Bay Red King Crab fishery. Thank you for your attention to this urgent request.

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