“Fish Basket” Website Promotes Permanent Protection for Bristol Bay

A coalition of commercial fishing, native, and conservation groups announced the launch of their website www.fishbasket.org which will serve as an information center for groups and individuals seeking permanent protection for Bristol Bay from offshore oil and gas drilling.

In March of this year, prior to the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama administration removed Bristol Bay from the federal offshore and gas leasing schedule until 2017. But, given Bristol Bay’s rich fishery, the coalition believes area deserves permanent protection from the inherent risks of offshore oil drilling. Bristol Bay fisheries are valued at more than $2 billion annually and sustainably support thousands of jobs, whereas the estimated value for finite oil and gas in the area is only $7 billion over the life of the field, the association says.