I think it's great that Sen. Maria Cantwell has come out in support of protecting Bristol Bay, Alaska, and its abundant salmon if an ongoing scientific assessment by the EPA finds that this amazing natural resource would be harmed by large-scale mining. I've been fishing Bristol Bay since 1976, and I make more than half my income from salmon drift netting there. I'm also a board member of the Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association, which has represented commercial fishermen for more than 40 years and worked to protect and promote Bristol Bay salmon.

Nearly 1,000 people like me fish in the region commercially but call Washington home, and our livelihoods depend on a healthy fish population that's undisturbed and untainted by the effects of runoff pollution from mining, or a catastrophic earthquake that could rupture massive ponds that would store waste from the proposed Pebble mine.

The interdependence between Alaska and Washington from the Bristol Bay salmon fishery make both of our economies stronger and more resilient and spread the economic benefits far and wide. I'm glad that Cantwell has recognized that and taken a leadership position on this issue. Now, I hope some other politicians will join her.

Darryl Pope

Bellingham