Eight member task force aims to create statewide industry recommendations by January 21, 2025
In response to the severe and ongoing economic challenges facing Alaska’s seafood industry, the Alaska State Legislature last month passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, establishing a joint legislative task force to evaluate Alaska’s seafood industry. The group aims to address critical issues within the industry “through policy initiatives and strategic action.”
Task Force Members announced this week include:
- Senate members: Senator Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Chair; Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka; Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski; and Senator Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau.
- House members: Representative Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham; Representative George Rauscher, R-Sutton; Representative Sarah Vance, R-Homer; and Representative Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak.
A July 10 legislative press release said: “The seafood industry is a cornerstone of Alaska’s economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating a multi-billion dollar economic impact. However, increased operational costs, high interest rates, and significant shifts in the global seafood market have placed the industry in economic peril. This threatens rural and urban economies, causing detrimental revenue losses to the state’s general fund and municipal budgets.”
“As the backbone of our state’s economy, the seafood industry is vital to both our rural and urban communities,” said Senate President Gary Stevens. “Establishing this task force underscores our commitment to addressing the industry’s economic challenges and ensuring its long-term sustainability. By bringing together key stakeholders and experts, we aim to develop strategic solutions to support our seafood industry and bolster our state’s overall economic health.”
“This task force is not about protecting a single fishery or gear group, but the seafood industry as a whole,” said Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla. “I eagerly anticipate the recommendations this collaboration will produce.”
Seven recommendations already on the table
The Concurrent Resolution includes the following points as a guideline:
(1) legislative and administrative means by which government can assist the state’s seafood industry in response to changing economics;
(2) public policy options that account for effects on communities that are severely affected by the crisis in the state’s seafood industry;
(3) improvements for the coordination of the harvesting, processing, and marketing of seafood;
(4) new seafood product development;
(5) improvements to the marketing efforts of the state seafood industry;
(6) methods to improve the quality of the state’s seafood products;
(7) a long-term strategic plan for the state’s seafood industry
The ultimate goal of the task force is to develop a long-term strategic plan for Alaska’s seafood industry. The group will submit its recommendations to the full legislature by January 21, 2025.
Questions? Contact Communications Director Noah Hanson at Noah.Hanson@akleg.gov (907) 465-5931
