November 27, 2024 — The state of Alaskan fisheries was discussed at this year’s Pacific Marine Expo. The panel featured Senator Gary Stevens, president of the Alaska State Senate, Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, and Nels Ure, deputy director of Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay.
Senator Stevens began the discussion, highlighting the Alaska Seafood Task Force, comprised of four senators and four representatives, which was established to address industry challenges. “We’re facing enormous problems in the state of Alaska right now in the fishing industry,” Stevens said. “We will introduce legislation in mid-January, which will then go through committees in both the House and Senate,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of finding solutions for fishermen, processors, marketers, and impacted communities.
Stevens highlighted difficulties faced in communities like King Cove and the Pibilofs that have lost their processing capabilities. To combat these issues, the task force is exploring incentives for innovation, improved marketing, and tax credits for value-added equipment. “Processors, fishermen, and communities are all in the same boat,” Stevens said, underlining the need for collaboration.
Jeremy Woodrow of ASMI discussed Alaska’s position in the global seafood market. He stressed the importance of capitalizing on opportunities created by the U.S. ban on Russian seafood imports, which has opened a $450 million market gap. “This is our number one opportunity right now, to sell more Alaska seafood to more Americans,” Woodrow said.