Mark Begich has received the endorsement of the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC), calling him “a tireless advocate for Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and fishing dependent coastal communities.”

ABSC represents more than 70% of participants in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands king, snow, and tanner crab fishery.

ABSC President Edward Poulsen calls Senator Begich a “committed leader,” and asserts that the Senator is “uniquely poised to address the most pressing issues facing the Alaskan fishing industries and the communities that depend on it.”

Begich is the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans Atmosphere Fisheries and the Coast Guard where he is overseeing the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and leads the fight against genetically modified salmon and pirate fishing. Begich has also secured emergency relief for communities that suffered low salmon runs in past years. Begich has also secured $303 million for Coast Guard assets to ensure our entire fishing fleet is safe.

Begich has also received the endorsement of the United Fishermen of Alaska. Crab fishermen Keith Colburn of the popular show The Deadliest Catch also lent Begich his support this week, calling him “the right guy for the job.”