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Alaska Legislature Appoints Members to the Joint Legislative Task Force to Evaluate Alaska's Seafood Industry
Alaska – In response to the pressing economic challenges facing Alaska's seafood industry, the Alaska State Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, establishing a joint legislative task force to evaluate Alaska's seafood industry. This task force aims to address critical issues within the industry through policy initiatives and strategic action.
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.
Key issues identified include decreased consumer demand, historically low prices paid to fishermen and processors in 2023, and the potential closure of numerous seafood processing facilities. The task force's vision is to develop a long-term, sustainable plan for the state's seafood industry, ensuring its economic viability and the prosperity of the communities it supports.
Task Force Members include:
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Senate members: Senator Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Chair, Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, and Senator Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau
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House members: Representative Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, Representative George Rauscher, R-Sutton, Representative Sarah Vance, R-Homer, and Representative Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak.
"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."
“I am proud to appoint these members highlighting the seafood industry’s regional diversity. Each representative has an immediate interest in the success of this vital industry. This task force is not about protecting a single fishery or gear group, but the seafood industry as a whole. I eagerly anticipate the recommendations this collaboration will produce,” said Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla.
The task force will evaluate public policy options addressing various critical aspects such as assistance to the seafood industry in response to changing economics, the effects on communities severely affected by the industry's economic crisis, and improvements in the coordination of harvesting, processing, and marketing seafood. Additionally, the task force will look into incentives for new seafood product development, enhancements in the marketing efforts of the state's seafood industry, and improvements in the quality of the state's seafood products. The ultimate goal is to develop a long-term strategic plan for the state's seafood industry. The Joint Seafood Task Force will submit recommendations to the legislature by January 21, 2025.
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