We do agree that data is critical especially when it has such huge implications to big decisions.

The key is providing the greatest overall benefit to the U.S., the entire country, to recreational opportunity and seafood harvest without jeopardizing conservation.

Is it not a bit ironic? Because is it not part of the reason to have the Council put together that you want to choose members who actually are involved in the industry, and involved in fisheries issues, and know a lot about it, which…

But by having the CEQ member be the one that is typically recused that threatens Alaska's ability to have a strong voice on these issues.

Nothing is more important than stock assessments and surveys.

But are we not seeing a migration of fish stocks north, or is that just anecdotal?

as I mentioned earlier, I come to the floor every week to talk about my great State and to talk about the people of my great State--the people who make it a better place for all of us. We call these people the Alaskan of the Week. It is…

every week, I have been coming to the floor to talk about the wonderful people in my State. A lot of people have visited Alaska. If you haven't and you are watching on TV, we really, really want to welcome you to come. It will be the trip…

We believe it's redundant and unnecessary.

the costs of onboard monitoring and NMFS's perceived lack of urgency in pursuing less costly alternatives... reinforce the need for Congress to clarify the limits of NMFS's power.

As always, Senator Booker, I've got your back.

I think we're going to add a lot back to the ones that we think are vital.

MSA can be improved to help managers fully utilize the knowledge we have today and account for the big picture.

I wanted to weigh in on a debate that took place on the floor a couple of hours ago--actually, when I was presiding in the chair--between the majority leader and the minority leader on what we are going to be doing here in the next couple…

This is an amendment that permits the importation of polar bear trophies that were taken from legal hunts in Canada by American citizens prior to the 2008 listing of the polar bear as threatened.

I want to thank both the witnesses for your past experience and service to our country and this critical area.

Does Congress need to do more to make it clear that that's a viable option?

There is no evidence that that rush takes place. There is no evidence at all; that is speculation.

But let me get to another question that he raised that I think is also--we can view as an opportunity and a challenge.

Does marine debris that reaches freshwater pose a different threat, different challenge, different way that we should think about it from a policy perspective?

the majority of marine debris in the world's oceans come from five countries in Asia

a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues and I introduced the Save Our Seas Act

How do we empower these organizations that are on the ground that are literally the front lines?

I want to thank Senator Booker for his leadership on this issue and obvious passion, and I think it's what we need.

I think there's a lot of encouragement, but I also think there's a recognition that, globally, this is not going to really happen in terms of solid results unless the U.S. is one of the key leaders.