I think that's an unfair advantage, and I don't think it would get them or us anywhere.

I think that what we need to do is...provide the Councils with more flexibility.

That's remarkable. One salmon run. That's the biggest salmon run in the world.

we're going to continue, from this Committee's perspective, to continue to monitor those kind of situations

I'm very honored. Thank you.

I think it would be remiss if we did not solicit these very important perspectives.

So if you can keep it brief, I think that would be fine.

Joe Balash currently serves as my Chief of Staff. While we are sorry to lose him, the job that Secretary Zinke has tasked him with is one that, I believe, he is uniquely qualified for.

I think there should be a better way to express a stock that is depressed from fishing versus a stock that is depressed from an environmental or other factor.

We are going to look at that because my understanding of that right now is it is not equitable in terms of how it is applied in other regions.

I agree one hundred percent with the next generation idea that you were talking about for our fishermen, not only in Alaska, but throughout the country.

I think it is achievable.

I can assure you that, at least from my perspective, full funding for NOAA and NMFS... has been something that I have been advocating for since I got to the Senate.

The program is so important. I feel amiss that I have not emphasized how important it is to western Alaskans this program.

So your focus is on more flexibility to the Council in terms of decisionmaking that relates to specific quota allocations?

I still feel overall, I would give high marks on the working relationship between State and National Marine Fisheries Service.

I think it is misleading to the public as well.

I think it starts at the regional level.

Well, maybe that can be one positive outcome of this hearing, since we have two of the key players, actually three of the key players, to do that.

I see significant bipartisan opportunities.

Yes, Commissioner Cotten.

I think we need to know as much as we can about that when we are using it and I think we need to stratify the value of that in a consistent way.

We are very concerned about the next draft of MSA and how it goes through.

Can you explain that term? It is used a lot. I just want other Senators, who are going to be looking at this transcript and their staff, as we talk about the broader issues what that term means when you talk about 'the race to fish' and…

I am assuming you saw that NOAA published regulations to integrate the electronic monitoring into the North Pacific observer program.