Lisa Murkowski

I will start off my questions to you by inviting you to Alaska.

We are asking more of the Coast Guard, and yet we are not giving them sufficient assets to do what we are asking of them.

Of course, we are going to be stepping up next year as the United States will be chair of the Arctic Council.

I would appreciate that.

I think this is an area, again, where in many senses this is a new frontier out here.

I could not agree with you more. I also acknowledge, as I am sure that you do, the role the Coast Guard is taking on increased priority and presence.

The 2006 amendments required Annual Catch Limits and accountability measures designed to help prevent overfishing.

Since 1990, illegal and unlawful fishing is estimated to be a half a billion dollar problem to Alaska's economy--and we can regain control over our fisheries by better policing and enforcement at the ports where the fishing boats dock and…

Clearly, we must take action to prevent further harm to U.S. fishermen and fishing-dependent coastal communities.

I think it is critically important that as we look to protect the strength of our fisheries, the strength of our oceans, that we understand that our oceans know no boundaries.

Alaska's fisheries are the most abundant and sustainably managed in the Nation and we are quite proud of that.

We need to ensure that as we are working with other nations as it relates to our fisheries that we have some common framework.

Taking the time to address these fisheries treaties is critically important, particularly the effects of IUU fishing and activities on U.S. interests.

I'm very concerned about the lack of process and transparency surrounding recent efforts to raise the minimum wage.

It now needs to be extended to Alaska Native Nations.

I think we need to, as policy makers, do that much more to redouble our efforts to make a difference.

I don't have a question, but I want to share an article, a CNN report from February 6th.

The situation in the lower 48 is vastly better than it is in Alaska.

I think this can happen. I am really optimistic about it.

But they shouldn't be fighting with the tribal nations there.

That is not acceptable in our Country. And I know it is not acceptable to you.

We don't have to have an Indian reservation system in Alaska to have self-governance.

We see constantly the description of the failures coming from the reservations in the lower 48.

It is important to ask what I think Tamra would consider pretty basic questions, not really about the report.

To get to the closest courthouse. Weather permitting.