It's all fish?
Always has been.
For me, and for so many Alaskans, fishing is our way of life. From salmon fishing with my father on the Kusko to spending long summer days at fish camp with my own kids, I’ve spent my life on the water.
Fishing with family is where Alaskans learn life’s lessons. That’s why my agenda for Alaska has always been, and will always be: fish, family, freedom.
I’ve talked a lot about my plans to make life more affordable for families, and to fix the rigged DC system so we can actually get things done. Well today, I’m rolling out another policy – my plan to protect Alaska’s fisheries and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Alaska deserves a senator who cares more about fish stocks than their stock portfolio. Platitudes and empty promises aren’t enough. Protecting and restoring our fisheries should be a central priority for Alaska’s delegation, pushing policies like:
Banning factory trawling to protect our Alaska way of life.
Restoring our fisheries by making sure fishermen receive the aid they deserve to compensate for collapsing fish runs, fully funding fish stock assessments, and enforcing National Standards on bycatch and fishery protection.
Bringing innovation into our traditions so that Alaskans can lead the charge, especially when it can be leveraged to restore our fisheries and crack down on bad actors.
Strengthening our Alaska seafood economy with federal grants to help create a fish by-product economy and funding to help Alaskans grow and market our mariculture industry.
Securing all Alaskans a seat at the table by locking in the current makeup of the federal subsistence board and creating Tribal seats on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
These are the practical, Alaska-first solutions I’m fighting for to restore our fisheries, strengthen our communities, and ensure that the next generation can experience the same abundance Alaskans have enjoyed for generations.
We don’t need more studies to tell us what’s happening in front of our eyes. We need bold leadership now to save our fish and protect our way of life. That’s why I need your support in this critical toss-up race for Alaska’s Senate seat.
Growing up, Alaska was a place of abundance. For every spawning salmon, six would return. Now, the return rate is less than one for every spawner.
This is happening because politicians in DC are bought and paid for by the out-of-state factory trawlers that are decimating our fish populations. While Alaskans are struggling to fill their freezers for winter, our “leaders” in DC are turning a blind eye.
I’m running to change that, because Alaskans who rely on fishing to survive can’t afford to wait any longer. We need a senator who will fight for us and be an independent voice in DC.
This campaign is about unrigging the broken DC system and finally putting Alaska first. So if you’re with me, I’d deeply appreciate you pitching in whatever amount makes sense to you – whether it’s $500, $50, or even $5. Every single dollar helps us win this fight for fish, family, and freedom.
Your support is what has gotten us to this point in the campaign, and it’s what’s going to power us all the way to November.
Thank you for reading and for being a part of this,
- Mary
My family was stationed at Elmendorf AFB in the late 60s. Us kids all spent our summer time and a lot of winter days outside. We went down the hill to watch, when Jacques Cousteau was moored nearby. We ran freely between the inlet and base housing, and around the end of the base airstrip. We plucked wild berries, and built small caches in the woods because… we could! My mom learned how to make and sustain a sourdough starter, and she bought all our seafood fresh on the local economy. (Did I hear someone say, "cabbage??") The neighborhood moose loved eating up my mom's bright blue Morning Glory blooms every year. We learned to ski. I participated (and placed, every year), in gymnastics competitions in Fairbanks and (I believe, though I can’t find any record of), Seward.
Alaska was one of the most special times in my life.
I’m unable to donate at this very moment but come my next SS check, I shall. Outside interests must not be allowed to destroy Alaska’s fish population — and they will, if left unchecked. Because obscene profit is more important than anything else.
Over fishing is destroying so many species. Please halt Red Snapper over fishing. Please do.