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Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry Holds First Meeting
The Task Force Focused on the Challenges and Market Impacts on Alaska Fisheries
Anchorage, AK – On Wednesday, September 18, and Thursday, September 19, the Joint Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry held its first round of meetings in Anchorage to begin understanding the impacts on Alaska’s seafood industry and what tools the state has in its toolbox to strengthen it. The task force was created through Senate Joint Resolution 10 during this past legislation session. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, chairs the committee. Other members include Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, Senator Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Representative Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, Representative George Rauscher, R-Sutton, Representative Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and Representative Sarah Vance, R-Homer.
On Wednesday, the task force heard a presentation from Katie Berry from McKinley Research Group, which focused on the state's long-term challenges. Additionally, they heard from Jeremy Woodrow, the Executive Director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, to learn more about their operations and what is being done to promote more global competition for Alaska’s seafood in the marketplace. Lastly, the task force heard from Glenn Haight, chair of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, on observations of commercial fishing and public sector opportunities to provide input on what has worked since the 2003 Legislative Salmon Task Force and what could be done going forward with the seafood industry as a whole.
“This was a great start to understand the challenges the seafood industry faces throughout Alaska. Over the course of the next few months, we will hear from more stakeholders that will help build a case for encouraging legislation come January,” said Sen. Stevens. “As we move through the process, we will hone in our focus on only the things that the Alaska legislature can take to help bolster our industry.”
On Thursday morning, the task force heard from OPR Alaska to understand the degradation of Alaska’s fisheries due to the negative impacts of ocean conditions. The committee also heard from the Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Douglas Vincent-Lang to understand Alaska’s fish stocks, the Department’s concerns, and what they are doing to increase and maintain healthy fishery populations. Adding perspective to Alaska’s seafood marking plan, the task force heard from market strategists who provided details on consumer trends and market competitions.
In Thursday afternoon’s session, Dr. Ginny Eckert and Dr. Franz Mueter, with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, discussed the status of Alaska’s fishery stocks and environmental changes that have impacted the industry. The discussion focused on the decline of red king crab and snow crab populations, attributing the latter to warm waters and low crab conditions. The dialogue included the potential for sustainable aquaculture, the impact of climate change on fisheries, and the need for better data and management strategies.
The hearing ended with a roundtable discussion of committee members, which included economic, academic, and scientific conversations involving stakeholders like industry processors, the Department of Revenue, and the North Pacific Management Council. The task force will focus on critical issues such as cold storage needs, production costs, and low-cost loans for processors. The task force also plans to deepen the discussion into direct influences such as immediate financial impacts, energy costs, and the need for value-added products. The committee intends to hold future meetings in Alaska fishing communities to increase access to the seafood industry as a whole.
"Alaska’s seafood industry isn’t just a cornerstone of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing billions in economic impact—it’s also integral to our communities, our heritage, and our way of life. With the mounting challenges posed by global markets, ocean conditions, and economic pressures, we cannot afford to stand idly by,” said Sen Bjorkman. “This task force’s work will pave the way for much-needed long-term solutions that ensure the resilience of our seafood industry and protect both the livelihoods of Alaskans and the sustainability of our fisheries for generations to come."
You can view Wednesday's committee hearing here.
You can view Thursday’s committee hearing here.
The next meeting of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry is scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2024.
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