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KODIAK - Five of the six candidates vying for Alaska's lone congressional seat attended ComFish Alaska's Fisheries Debate on Thursday, touching on a broad range of topics - from the controversial crab rationalization program to the issue of federal earmarks.

Those participating included U.S. Rep. Don Young and Alaska state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, candidates on the Republican ticket, and Democratic candidates Diane Benson, Ethan Berkowitz, and Jake Metcalfe. Absent from the forum was Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who announced his candidacy last Friday but was unable to make the debate.

On the issue of crab rationalization, candidates seemed to agree that an open market was the better method.

"I never understood what was rational about crab rationalization," Berkowitz said during the one minute had had to respond. He said a capitalist society is one that is free to compete, drawing comparisons with the congressional race, which enables multiple candidates to compete for one seat.

"I think we need to go back to the drawing board on crab rationalization," LeDoux said. "I believe the best fishermen ought to go out there and catch the most fish, period."

Metcalfe emphasized the need for transparency in all decisions, a refrain he repeated multiple times throughout the debate. He said everyone needs to have a place at the table.

Young noted that crab rationalization was voted on by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that included a Kodiak representative, and was unanimously passed.

"If you have a complaint about it, go to the council," he said.

Regarding earmarks, candidates were asked if they would fight as hard as the incumbent to "bring home the bacon."

Responding first to the question was incumbent Young, who defended his efforts to secure earmarks.

"I'm proud of my earmarks," he said, adding every one was asked for by the communities and states.

Benson said earmarks should be the "exception, not the rule." Berkowitz emphasized transparency and the need to increase public confidence, while Metcalfe identified the problem with earmarks as putting the state's reputation in tatters.