Treat Greenpeaces Alaska Pollock Claims With Science and Skepticism

September 16, 2009 Washington Last year, as part of a fundraising campaign, Greenpeace announced Alaska Pollock stocks had collapsed. This was simply not true and government scientists publicly refuted those claims. That didnt stop Greenpeace from pedaling its distortions to any journalist who would report without asking questions.

This year, it would appear, Greenpeace is once again revving up the rhetoric machine with premature, irresponsible stock forecasts designed to influence the discussion about Alaska pollock. This type of reckless speculation comes from an organization whose campaign, on this very issue, last year was exposed as a mere side show in the face of ground truth science.

Greenpeace should let the biologists do their jobs. And journalists reporting on this issue should contact the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) as part of their coverage in order to get the facts right from the independent scientists who actually did the research. Greenpeace did not conduct this research, NMFS did (see resource list.)

Alaska Pollock; Independent Resource List For Reporters
Doug DeMaster
Science and Research Director
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
NMFS/NOAA/DOC
Douglas.demaster@noaa.gov
907.789.6617

Jim Ianelli
Stock Assessment Scientist
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
NMFS/NOAA/DOC
Jim.ianelli@noaa.gov
206.526.6510

Steve Murawski
Director of Scientific Programs/Chief Science Advisor
NOAA Fisheries
Steve.murawski@noaa.gov
301.713.2239

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.

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Contact Information

Gavin Gibbons
(703) 752-8891
ggibbons@nfi.org