Media Advisory for Press Teleconference
Thursday, May 13, 2010; 10:00am Pacific
Contact:
Andy Grow, Climate Solutions: 206-713-1792;
andy@climatesolutions.org
Joelle Robinson, Climate Solutions: 206-351-5646;
joelle@climatesolutions.org
Dan Strickland, Alaska Marine Conservation Council: 907-841-6200;
dan@akmarine.org
Alaska, Washington Fishing Industry Warn, Worry About Oil Catastrophe in Northwest Waters
What if a disaster like the tragic oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico occurred in the Northwest? How could it affect the Northwest fishing industry, the millions of dollars the industry adds to the regional economy, and the thousands of families who rely on a healthy Pacific fishery for their livelihoods?
Join us this Thursday morning at 10:00 am Pacific for a teleconference with fishing industry representatives from Alaska and Washington, an Alaska-based ocean toxicologist, and former fisher calling in from the Gulf Coast. Speakers will discuss the very real potential for a disastrous oil-related catastrophe here — in the Pacific Ocean and coastal waterways off the Oregon, Washingon, British Columbia and Alaska coasts. The long term solution — that will benefit our national security and create jobs — is to shift way from fossil fuel dependency and towards a clean energy economy, starting with passage of a meaningful climate and clean energy bill through Congress.
What: Phone teleconference with Northwest fishing industry representatives, and former Louisiana shrimper calling in from the Gulf Coast.
Call-In Information: Dial: (866) 661-9590 Conference code: 3233007291
When: 10:00 am to 10:45 am, Pacific time
Who: Pete Knutson: has been a commercial fisherman in North Pacific for 38 years, fishing for salmon and halibut. Knutson is owner of Loki Fish Co, a family fishing business that supplies Seattle area farmers markets and coops. He has represented fishermen In Alaska and Puget Sound over the past 30 years. Pete also holds a PhD in Marine Anthropology from UW, and is a anthropology teacher at Seattle Central Community College
Margaret Bryan Curole is a Louisiana Cajun, is married to a former fifth generation shrimper in Galliano, Louisiana. She and her husband ran a family shrimp operation and raised their daughter on the boat until she went to school. Her husband pilots an oil service boat on the Gulf Coast. Ms. Curole is currently an executive board member Commercial Fishermen of America, she has also acted as legislative liaison and representative at large for the Louisiana Shrimp Association.
Riki Ott, PhD is a marine toxicologist and commercial fisherma’m who was one of the first people on the scene during the Exxon Valdez oil spill, when millions of gallons of crude oil were discharged in the single most devastating environmental catastrophe in U.S. history. For 21 years, she has been the voice and face of efforts for justice http://www.rikiott.com/. Her latest book on the spill is NOT ONE DROP (Chelsea Green, 2008) on community level social impacts of disaster trauma. Her first book on spill impact to human health and the environment is SOUND TRUTH AND CORPORATE MYTHS. She is also the star of the award-winning film BLACK WAVE: The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez. The film portrays the legal battle between commercial fisherpersons against the largest corporation in the world (Exxon-Mobil). Dr. Ott will be calling from the Gulf Coast.
Erling Skaar is a former fisherman from Ballard who caught crab and bottom fish in Alaska waters from 1967 to 2002. Born and raised in Norway, Mr. Skaar immigrated to the US in 1962, and worked for Shell Oil’s seismic division for five years. He owns f/v North American, and is the developer of the Gen-tech system http://gentechglobal.com/ which reduces fishing vessel fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 50 percent.
Dan Strickland: has fished for 30 years in Alaska, in Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound and Bristol Bay. He is currently working for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council as their Bristol Bay Fisheries Liaison.
Ross MacFarlane: is Senior Advisor for Business Partnerships at Climate Solutions.
