Special Orders Remarks on the Pacific Salmon Treaty

Delivered on the Senate floor – March 26, 1998

Senator Loren Leman (R-Anchorage)

Mr. President, on Monday and Tuesday of this week I joined four members of the House in going to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia to meet with our counterparts in British Columbia at their invitation, to discuss how we can work on the Pacific Salmon Treaty and other issues related to habitat and fisheries, because we share a common border with these folks. We had, as well, legislators from Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho.

The issues are complex and negotiations have been intense over the years.

There has been a certain amount of rhetoric, certainly from our perspective, coming from some of the leaders of British Columbia. However, we were treated very cordially. We agreed to disagree on some technical issues, when it came to interceptions, and who is taking whose fish.

But I believe the dialogue was productive and I hope that it is an indicator of more dialogue that will be ongoing. I will also note that as part of the negotiations on the Pacific Salmon Treaty in Washington, D.C., the chief negotiator for the United States and the negotiator for Canada will be meeting. My concern is that the Alaska position be represented adequately at these hearings -- that it not be relegated to an obscure position in the federal forum between Canada and the United States, because these issues are very important for Alaska fishermen and therefore for all of Alaska.

I’ll be summarizing information that we collected on the trip and distributing it to members. If you’re interested in it, please contact me.

Thank you, Mr. President.