Senator Ted Stevens has received the Special Recognition Award for working tirelessly throughout his long and successful career to win the support of the United States Congress for the laws that form the basis of U.S. federal fisheries management and marine conservation programs. Senator Stevens has consistently advocated for science-based management of living marine resources, keeping the sustainable use of these resources at the forefront of the nation's agenda.
The Pollock Conservation Cooperative, made up of catcher/processors in the Alaska pollock fishery, has received the Stewardship and Sustainability Award for voluntarily dividing up the overall annual harvest quota among participating fishing companies. This unique arrangement has ended the often wasteful "race for fish" and led to significant reductions in fishing capacity. It also resulted in a 50 percent increase in the amount of Alaska pollock products made from each pound of harvested fish, as well as voluntary bycatch reduction efforts that complement federal fishery management measures.
Holland America Line has received the Conservation Partnership Award for taking the initiative to develop and promote the adoption of whale avoidance measures as the international cruise industry standard. The company's dedication to protect whales, regardless of its effect on the financial bottom line, is at the forefront of marine mammal conservation.
Ed Melvin of the Washington Sea Grant Program has received the Science, Research and Technology Award for his cooperative scientific research with industry to develop innovative methods for seabird avoidance in Alaska's commercial longline fisheries. Melvin's research has helped reduce seabird bycatch by at least 80 percent in Alaska fisheries and is inspiring the global adoption of seabird avoidance methods and the innovative cooperative approaches with industry.
The Gulf of Mexico Foundation has received the Coastal Habitat Restoration Award for its successful development and implementation of 33 coastal habitat restoration projects in five Gulf States. These projects are expected to restore nearly 14,000 acres of valuable coastal habitat that is important for the long-term health of marine resources. The Foundation manages a coastal partnership made up of volunteers who work on habitat restoration projects, fostering civic service, public education, and local ownership in these important coastal resources.
SeaShare has received the Public Education, Community Service & Media Award for working with the fishing industry to develop an innovative hunger relief program. SeaShare works with fishing communities and hunger relief agencies throughout the country to feed hungry Americans with fish that otherwise would have been thrown back to the sea dead due to regulation. Since 1994, SeaShare has partnered with 60 companies to donate 20 million pounds of food to 96 locations in 31 states. SeaShare's program has allowed the fishing industry to put its bycatch to good use, thereby reducing waste and increasing a conservation ethic without compromising fisheries management goals.
