FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2016
Contact: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org
The Marine Fish Conservation Network Congratulates
Co-Chair Linda Behnken on White House “Champions of Change” Award
Statement by Marine Fish Conservation Network Executive Director Robert C. Vandermark
WASHINGTON – Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement regarding the Obama administration’s awarding Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and co-chair of the Network, a “Champion of Change” award.
“Today, the Obama administration will recognize Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association Executive Director and Marine Fish Conservation Network Co-Chair Linda Behnken as a ‘Champion of Change’ for her work promoting sustainable fishing and improving the lives of fishermen in Alaska and around the nation. Under Linda’s guidance, the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association has been a long-time leader in conserving our nation’s fisheries and a strong advocate for the women and men who rely on healthy fish populations to sustain their businesses, communities, and our American fishing tradition. Linda has used her extensive knowledge of fisheries and long-time experience on the water to push for better fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and greater protections for marine ecosystems and the thriving local communities that depend on them.
“The Marine Fish Conservation Network congratulates Linda Behnken for this well-deserved honor and extends our warmest gratitude for her tireless dedication to our nation’s oceans and working waterfronts.”
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Editor’s note:
For more information about Linda Behnken and the “Champions of Change” award, visit the White House website and the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association website. The award ceremony will be live-streamed on the White House website on Friday, October 7, at 1:00 PM ET (Twitter conversation: #WHChamps).
About the Marine Fish Conservation Network:
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations dedicated to defending and strengthening our primary federal fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, in order to sustain abundant fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and thriving fishing communities. Learn more at conservefish.org.
