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Murkowski is running against former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat. Her father, Gov. Frank Murkowski, appointed her to the Senate seat he vacated when he won the gubernatorial election last year.

UFA President Bob Thorstenson said the organization's board vote was unanimous among those who voted - 26 of 35.

Murkowski worked to win admission for Alaska fishermen into the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers program, which allows the industry to apply for financial aid to make up for the effects of foreign imports.

"It is no coincidence that a number of federal requests long sought by Alaska fishermen have been addressed during Sen. Murkowski's first year in the Senate," said UFA vice president and Kodiak resident Jeff Steele.

Thorstenson said the fishing industry appreciates Murkowski's support in the face of opposition from some environmental groups.

"We don't necessarily need environmental protection as much because we're very close to the marine ecosystem and very careful the way we fish. ... But at times all our groups need some environmental protection, and that is protection against outside national environmental groups," he said.

Earlier in the day, about 30 people, about half made up of Democratic state lawmakers and their staff, showed up for a noon rally on the Capitol steps to protest the process by which Lisa Murkowski was appointed to the seat by her father.

Protesters held signs reading "Democracy not dynasty" and "Trust the people."

Members of the organization Trust the People collected enough signatures last year for a ballot initiative to change the state law to require special elections for U.S. Senate vacancies.

A bill in the Legislature would achieve the same goal without a ballot initiative, but Trust the People says the Legislature could return the following year and reverse its decision.

"They're not above doing a scurrilous thing like that, not a bit above it," said Mike Miller, a former Democratic state representative from Juneau. "If House Bill 141 passes, we won't get to vote."

At a press conference later, Murkowski told journalists that voters should focus on what she is doing in office, and not on how she got there.

"I was appointed to this job by the governor, who is my father. That is the reality. I would not be able to be serving in Washington, D.C., without this appointment. You might not like that process but look to what I'm doing, look to my performance," she said. "I'm working my hardest to earn the trust and respect of all Alaskans as I represent them in Washington."

Among the issues she has focused on, Murkowski said Friday in a speech to the Legislature is her work on an incentive package for a North Slope natural gas pipeline project is the most important.

The financial incentives are found in the energy bill, stalled in Congress. Also in the Senate energy bill is $500 million to improve rural energy systems in Alaska, she said.

Murkowski also introduced legislation to get the Bureau of Land Management to complete final title transfer of 89 million acres granted to Alaska and Native Corporations at statehood.

In addition, Stevens and Rep. Don Young and Murkowski secured $53 million in additional Medicare funding to lure Alaska doctors back to the program, she said.

Murkowski also is seeking waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act for Alaska schools, she said.