ANCHORAGE: In Monday’s address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, Dan Sullivan affirmed his stance against the Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “The law of the sea is a body of customs, treaties, and international agreements by which governments maintain order, productivity, and peaceful relations on the sea.”

An article in the Alaska Business monthly notes that the Law of the Sea Treaty is supported by the military, the oil industry and even Senator Murkowski. Indeed, Murkowski is a staunch supporter of the treaty. She’s called for the passage of Law of the Sea multiple times, including in a 2013 ADN op-ed, where she stated that America could “begin leading by ratifying the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

Apparently, Dan Sullivan disagrees with Murkowski’s conception of American leadership, instead aligning himself with Joe Miller, a well-known opponent of the treaty.

In a press conference after his speech, Sullivan was questioned over recent splits between he and Murkowski. He responded, “On a whole host of issues; energy, fighting the Federal Government’s overreach, promoting ANWR and other responsible resource development, we’re in complete lockstep.” Yet a main component of Law of the Sea treaty is resource development, primarily in the fishing industry.

“Sullivan needs to stop taking Tea Party positions that are to detrimental to Alaska,” said Mike Wenstrup, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.

This is just the latest in splits among Alaska’s senators. Others include the “clean” Department of Homeland Security funding bill and the signing of Tom Cotton’s open letter to the Ayatollah of Iran.

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