Fishermen say high fuel costs forcing them out of business

Alaska fishermen are hoping to catch tax breaks on two fronts: high fuel costs, and oil spill payouts (if any) from Exxon.

“We’re seeing a 69% increase in fuel costs in Cordova from June of last year,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in a phone interview after she traveled to several fishing communities. “In Dillingham the increase is 54%. In Kodiak, it’s 58% over last year. Fishing families can’t sustain this.”

Murkowski said she is deeply troubled by the number of fishermen who tell her that high fuel costs are forcing them out of business.

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