¶ Overview
Dan Sullivan sold out Alaskans for corporate fisheries. He had close ties to the commercial fishing industry and profited from foreign seafood companies and mega commercial fisheries. Sullivan’s office was a revolving door to commercial trawling PR firms. Sullivan advocated for commercial trawlers over Alaskans and bemoaned Obama-era federal restrictions on commercial trawling. He watered down Representative Mary Peltola’s bycatch legislation and gutted key provisions for small vessels and Alaskan fisherman. Sullivan accepted $119,650 from Trident Seafoods and the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, the trade association that represented commercial trawlers. Alaska Natives railed against commercial trawling and the practice devastated local Alaskan food systems. Commercial trawlers hauled in millions of pounds of bycatch and contributed to nearly half of the United States’ annual transportation emissions.
Message: Sullivan put corporate interest and his campaign backers ahead of Alaskans.
¶ Sullivan Sold Out Alaskans For Corporate Fisheries
¶ Sullivan Was Closely Tied To The Commercial Fishing Industry
¶ Sullivan Profited From Foreign Seafood Companies And Mega Commercial Fisheries
Sullivan Sold Up To $50,000 Worth Of Shares In The Norwegian Commercial Salmon Giant Mowi ASA. According to Alaska Fish News, “According to a November 3 filing, Sullivan inherited two stocks upon the death of his parent. Capitol Trades, which monitors politicians’ stock market activity, said the disclosure stated that these stocks were sold in full by a third-party investing expert who counseled against filing the trade until October 30. Both of the trades were committed in August, Capitol Trades reported. First was the sale of $15,000 – $50,000 worth of shares of Mowi ASA (MHGVY:US), the Norwegian seafood company, formerly known as Marine Harvest ASA. Mowi is the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon and is represented in 25 countries.” [Alaska Fish News, 1/26/26]
¶ Sullivan’s Office Was A Revolving Door To Commercial Trawling PR Firms
Sullivan’s Longtime State Director Adam Trombley Joined “The Truth Alaska,” A Commercial Pollock Trawl PR Group, As Their Strategic Director. According to Alaska Fish News, “‘The Truth Alaska,’ created in March 2026, hails itself as ‘An independent policy and education project providing balanced, fact-based information on Alaska’s fisheries.’ Its leadership includes Adam Trombley, who reportedly left his longtime position as State Director for US Senator Dan Sullivan, to be the Strategic Director for the newest pollock trawl PR group.” [Alaska Fish News, 6/17/26]
- The Pollock Trawl Campaigns Were Designed To Counter Criticism Of Industrialized Fisheries And Commercial Trawling. According to Alaska Fish News, “Each of the three new pollock trawl campaigns is designed to counter widespread public criticism of industrialized fisheries by Alaska sports, subsistence and small boat commercial fishermen over bycatch of myriad species and ecosystem impacts by trawl gear. The PR platforms operate as a centralized, polished hub to challenge anti-trawl sentiment, shift public debate away from stricter regulatory limits and maintain staus quo management.” [Alaska Fish News, 6/17/26]
¶ Sullivan Advocated For Commercial Trawling And Corporate Fisheries At Alaskans’ Expense
¶ Sullivan Decried Obama-Era Federal Restrictions On Commercial Trawling
Sullivan Decried An Obama Executive Order, Drafted In Coordination With The Bering Sea Elders Group And Alaskan Tribal Consortiums, Which Maintained A Commercial Trawling Ban In The North Bering Sea. According to the Nome Nugget, “The EO also maintains the current prohibition to commercial trawl fishing in the area. The issuance of the order was celebrated by tribes of western and northwestern Alaska, who in a ‘hail Mary’ approach petitioned President Barack Obama to take action on the protection of the Northern Bering Sea. Involved were the Bering Sea Elders Group, and the tribal consortiums Kawerak Inc. and the Association of Village Council Presidents, all together comprising 76 tribes that brought their request to the president. [...] Sullivan vowed to work with Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congressman Don Young and the incoming administration ‘to repair the damage done by eight years of the Obama administration.’” [Nome Nugget, 12/16/16]
- Sullivan Claimed The Obama Administration “Used Unilateral Action To Hurt Alaskans” And “Unilaterally” Closed Fishing Grounds “Without Any Consultation.” According to the Nome Nugget, “‘Once again, the Obama administration has used unilateral action to hurt Alaskans. This executive order, drafted behind closed doors, unilaterally closes fishing grounds, removes oil and gas leasing, and creates hurdles to shipping, all with the stroke of a pen—without any consultation with the State, Alaska’s Congressional delegation, or public notice, consultation, or comment,’ said Senator Dan Sullivan.” [Nome Nugget, 12/16/16]
¶ Sullivan Watered Down Representative Mary Peltola’s Bycatch Legislation And Gutted Key Provisions To Protect Corporate Interests
Sullivan’s “Bycatch Reduction And Research Act Of 2025” Mirrored Peltola’s “Bycatch Reduction And Mitigation Act Of 2024.” [Congressional Actions, S.3579; Congressional Actions, H.R.8508]
¶ Sullivan’s Copycat Legislation Removed Funding Carve Outs For Small Commercial Fishing Vessels And Stripped $6 Million In Federal Funds To The Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program
Sullivan’s “Bycatch Reduction And Research Act Of 2025” Removed Funding Carve Outs For Small Commercial Fishing Vessels Included In Peltola’s “Bycatch Reduction And Mitigation Act Of 2024.” [Congressional Actions, S.3579; Congressional Actions, H.R.8508]
Sullivan’s “Bycatch Reduction And Research Act Of 2025” Stripped $6 Million In Federal Funds To The Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Included In Peltola’s “Bycatch Reduction And Mitigation Act Of 2024.” [Congressional Actions, S.3579; Congressional Actions, H.R.8508]
¶ Sullivan Accepted $119,650 From Trident Seafoods And The Trade Association That Represented Companies That Had Trawlers
¶ Trident Seafoods
¶ Sullivan’s Campaign And Associated PACs Accepted $97,650 From Trident Seafoods And The Bundrant Family
2015 – 2025: Sullivan’s Campaign And Associated PACs Accepted $97,650 From Trident Seafoods And The Bundrant Family.
| Source Name | Occupation | Recipient | Date | Amount |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/29/24 | $5,000 | |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $1,300 | |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $100 | |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/14/19 | $1,500 | |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/18 | $2,700 | |
| Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation PAC | True North PAC | 2/25/20 | $2,800 | |
| Charles Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/19/15 | $2,000 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/19/15 | $1,700 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/19/15 | $1,000 |
| Charles Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/19/15 | $700 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/7/15 | $1,000 |
| Daine Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/16 | $1,700 |
| Bundrant Charles | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/16 | $700 |
| Joseph Bundrant | Manager | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/16 | $1,000 |
| Charles Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/7/15 | $2,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/24/17 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Sullivan Victory 2020 | 3/24/17 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Sullivan Victory 2020 | 3/27/17 | $1,000 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/18 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/21/18 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/27/17 | $300 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/27/17 | $700 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/7/17 | $1,000 |
| Julie K. Bundrant rhodes | Shareholder / Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $1,000 |
| Analise K. Bundrant | Manager | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $500 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $300 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $100 |
| Lawson J. Bundrant | Shareholder / Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $250 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $1,800 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/28/19 | $1,600 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/14/19 | $1,000 |
| Charles Bundrant | Chairman | True North Pac | 2/25/20 | $2,800 |
| Diane L. Bundrant | Retired | True North Pac | 2/25/20 | $2,800 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | True North Pac | 2/25/20 | $2,800 |
| Mary Bundrant | Shareholder / Ambassador | True North Pac | 2/25/20 | $2,800 |
| Charles Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $100 |
| Charles Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $100 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $100 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $100 |
| Charles H. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/21 | $1,000 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/21 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/21 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/8/22 | $600 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/8/22 | $500 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/8/22 | $1,900 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/10/23 | $1,000 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/10/23 | $600 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 4/13/23 | $2,500 |
| Diane Bundrant | Administration | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/10/23 | $1,000 |
| Diane Bundrant | Retired | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/25/24 | $3,300 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/28/24 | $800 |
| Analise K. Bundrant | Manager | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/28/24 | $500 |
| Lawson J. Bundrant | Shareholder / Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/28/24 | $500 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/28/24 | $2,100 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/28/24 | $2,100 |
| Diane Bundrant | Retired | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/24 | $1,000 |
| Diane Bundrant | Retired | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/24 | $1,000 |
| Diane Bundrant | Retired | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/1/24 | $1,000 |
| Diane L. Bundrant | Board Member | True North Pac | 9/4/25 | $1,300 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | True North Pac | 3/27/25 | $1,000 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | True North Pac | 8/26/25 | $900 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | True North Pac | 5/7/25 | $2,100 |
| Analise Bundrant | Sales, Business Development, Trainer | Sullivan Victory | 5/7/25 | $250 |
| Diane Bundrant | Board Member | Sullivan Victory | 4/25/25 | $1,500 |
| Diane L. Bundrant | Board Member | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 4/25/25 | $200 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 5/7/25 | $200 |
| Analise Bundrant | Sales, Business Development, Trainer | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 5/7/25 | $250 |
| Diane L. Bundrant | Board Member | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 4/25/25 | $1,300 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 5/7/25 | $200 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 8/26/25 | $200 |
| Diane L. Bundrant | Board Member | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 9/4/25 | $1,200 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 8/26/25 | $1,400 |
| Mary S. Bundrant | Shareholder/Ambassador | Sullivan Victory | 8/26/25 | $2,500 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Sullivan Victory | 9/4/25 | $2,500 |
| Diane Bundrant | Board Member | Sullivan Victory | 9/4/25 | $2,500 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | Sullivan Victory | 5/7/25 | $2,500 |
| Joseph L. Bundrant | CEO | True North Pac | 9/4/25 | $1,900 |
[FEC, Friends Of Trident Seafoods Corporation Pac, accessed 7/1/26; FEC, “Bundrant”, accessed 7/1/26]
¶ Trident Seafood Was Criticized For Bycatch Excess
Alaska Public Media: Social Media Post Criticizes Trident Seafoods, Gulf Of Alaska Trawl Fleet For Halibut Bycatch [Alaska Public Media, 6/6/18]
An Alaska Fisherman Called Out Trident For Excessive Halibut Bycatch. According to the Alaska Public Media, “Longtime fisherman Erik Velsko says if Trident really cares about halibut and sustainability some things need to change. Velsko recently called out Trident on Facebook posting photos and video of excessive halibut bycatch at the plant that appeared to be from the local trawl fishery and which was going to be turned into fishmeal. ‘Totes full of halibut and you know obviously they had some markings and looked a little damaged. They were not gutted or dressed, as we call ‘em, longline – so the only place they could have come off of was a trawl vessel,’ Velsko said.” [Alaska Public Media, 6/6/18]
¶ Pacific Seafood Processors Association
¶ The Industry Group For Fishing Companies That Have Trawlers, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Donated $22,000 To Sullivan And Associated PACS
2017 – 2025: The Industry Group For Fishing Companies That Have Trawlers, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Donated $22,000 To Sullivan And Associated PACS.
| Source Name | Recipient | Date | Amount |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Political Action Committee (PSPAC) | Sullivan Victory 2020 | 3/24/17 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Assoc.PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/24/17 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Political Action Committee (PSPAC) | True North PAC | 6/28/18 | $2,500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Assoc. PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 3/4/19 | $1,500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Assoc. PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 2/25/20 | $3,500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Assoc. PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/22 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Assoc. PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/12/21 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 12/6/22 | $1,500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/18/23 | $500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors PAC (PSPAC) | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 7/10/23 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 10/18/23 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 6/30/24 | $1,000 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Association PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 9/2/25 | $500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Association PAC | Alaskans For Dan Sullivan | 5/7/25 | $2,500 |
| Pacific Seafood Processors Political Action Committee (PSPAC) | Sullivan Victory | 5/7/25 | $2,500 |
| Total | $22,000 |
¶ Pacific Seafood Processors Association Represented Companies Which Trawl Such As Trident Seafoods Corporation
Pacific Seafood Processors Association Represented Companies Which Trawl Such As Trident Seafoods Corporation. [PSPA, accessed 7/1/26]
¶ Pacific Seafood Processors Association Signed A Letter Opposing A Bill That Would Limit Trawling
A Group Of Seafood Companies Signed A Letter To Representative Pelota Opposing Her Bill That Would Limit Trawling. According to Center Square, “ In a letter sent to Peltola by 53 seafood industry groups and companies, they ask her to withdraw her bill, citing harm to the industry. The signees include the National Fisheries Institute, the Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Association, the Southern Shrimp Alliance, shrimper organizations in Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas, the New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association and the Northeast Seafood Coalition, among others.”
Pacific Seafood Processors Association Signed Onto The Letter. [Letter, 6/20/24]
¶ Commercial Trawling Devastated Alaska’s Ecosystems
¶ Alaska Natives Railed Against Trawling And The Practice Devastated Local Alaskan Food Systems
¶ Alaska Native Tribal Governments Warned That Trawling Caused “Significant And Long-Term Damage” To “Critical Subsistence Resources For Alaska Native People”
Alaska Native Tribal Governments Warned That Trawling Caused “Significant And Long-Term Damage” To The North Bering Sea Ecosystem And Had “Wide-Ranging Impacts On Marine Species That Live, Breed, Feed, Migrate, And Over-Winter In The NBS, Many Which Are Critical Subsistence Resources For Alaska Native People.” According to KUCB, “The plaintiffs planning to sue – tribal governments in Savoonga, Shishmaref and St. Paul, along with the Center for Biological Diversity – said in their notice that the research itself will wreak damage on the ecosystem near the seafloor in what is known as benthic waters while setting up the region for more damage in the future. They also said the agencies have not properly consulted with Native tribes and communities. ‘NETS is deeply troubling because it would cause significant and long-term damage to the undisturbed and highly sensitive benthic habitat in the NBS with wide-ranging impacts on marine species that live, breed, feed, migrate, and over-winter in the NBS, many which are critical subsistence resources for Alaska Native people,’ said the notice sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, another named defendant.” [KUCB, 2/10/24]
- Tribal Governments And Bering Sea Organizations Decried The “Destructive And Devastating” Practice And Reaffirmed Their “Fierce Opposition.” According to KUCB, “‘Even more concerning is that NETS appears to be focused on facilitating commercial bottom trawling in an area where it is currently prohibited to protect this unique and sensitive marine region. This destructive and devastating project has attracted fierce opposition from Alaska Native tribal governments and organizations in the Bering Sea region.’” [KUCB, 2/10/24]
¶ Commercial Trawling Devastated Local Alaskan Food Systems
Bottom Trawling Undermined Local Food Systems And Displaced Small-Scale Fisheries By Degrading Coastal Habitats And Diverting Nutritious Fish Away From Local Diets. According to the National Fisherman, “A new study released by a global seafood alliance contends that bottom trawling undermines local food systems by displacing small-scale fisheries, degrading coastal habitats and diverting nutritious fish away from local diets. The study, released on April 1, by the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition, determined that over 99 percent of bottom trawling occurs within national waters, often in shallow coastal areas also relied upon by small-scale fishers.” [National Fisherman, 4/13/26]
Leading Global Fisheries Researchers Found That Bottom Trawling Undermined Local Food Security, Nutrition And Livelihoods In Coastal Communities By Diverting Nutritious Fish To Global Markets And Reducing The Availability And Accessibility Of Fish To Coastal Communities. According to Oceanographic Magazine, “Bottom trawling undermines local food security, nutrition and livelihoods in coastal communities, according to a new global study. The destructive fishing practice involves towing nets to catch fish and other marine species living on or close to the seabed. It accounts for over a quarter of total global marine fish catches, and a commonly sold narrative is that the practice is critical to feed a growing population. However, this new report finds that bottom trawling reduces the availability and accessibility of fish to coastal communities, and diverts good quality, nutritious fish to global markets. The research was led by fisheries researcher Dr Anna Schuhbauer, Scientific Consulting, and Professor Ussif Rashid Sumaila, fisheries economist at Fisheries Economic Research Unit, University of British Columbia and conducted in partnership with the Transform Bottom Trawling (TBT) Coalition and marine conservation NGO Blue Ventures.” [Oceanographic Magazine, 3/31/26]
¶ Commercial Trawlers Hauled In Millions Of Pounds of Bycatch And Contributed To Nearly Half Of The United States’ Annual Transportation Emissions
¶ Commercial Trawlers Annually Bycaught Millions Of Pounds Of Herring And Halibut And Hundreds Of Thousands Of Crabs And Salmon
During The First Half Of 2026 Trawlers In The Bering Sea And The Gulf Of Alaska Bycaught 21,952 Chinook Salmon, 4,364 Chum Salmon, 2.8 Million Pounds Of Halibut, 590,217 Individual Crabs, And 1.6 Million Pounds Of Herring. According to Salmon State, “As of June 20, 2026 Trawlers in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska have bycaught: 21,952 Chinook salmon, 4,364 chum salmon, 2.8 million pounds of halibut, 590,217 individual crabs, 1.6 million pounds of herring” [Salmon State, 6/20/26]
2025: Trawlers In The Bering Sea And The Gulf Of Alaska Bycaught 38,923 Chinook Salmon, 172,116 Chum Salmon, 4.2 Million Pounds Of Halibut, 345,506 Individual Crabs, 6.8 Million Pounds Of Herring. According to Salmon State, “2025: Bering Sea & Gulf of Alaska Trawl Bycatch: 38,923 Chinook salmon, 172,116 chum salmon, 4.2 million pounds of halibut, 345,506 individual crabs, 6.8 million pounds of herring” [Salmon State, Accessed 7/1/26]
¶ Commercial Trawlers Destroyed Seabed Ecosystems And Contributed To Nearly Half Of The United States’ Annual Transportation Emissions
Commercial Trawling Destroyed Seabed Ecosystems And Contributed To Nearly Half Of The United States’ Annual Transportation Emissions. According to ClientEarth, “While it's responsible for the largest share of global catch compared to any other marine fishing methods, bottom trawling is notorious for its destructive environmental impact on the most delicate marine habitats. The heavy nets drag on the seabed to catch marine species that live there. In doing so, they harm reefs and clear-cut seagrasses, one of the ecosystems that absorbs the most carbon - 35 times faster than tropical rainforests do. By destroying seagrass meadows, bottom trawling releases around 40% of annual U.S. transportation emissions.” ClientEarth, 5/31/24]