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Legislature Fights for Alaska's Fishing Industry

(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House passed a resolution today urging the U.S. Congress to support Alaska salmon over imported salmon.

"The amount of Chilean farmed salmon imported into the United States has increased exponentially over the last few years," said Sen. Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak), sponsor of the resolution. "This is flooding the market and driving the price of salmon down to levels that jeopardize Alaska's fishing industry."

State and federal laws require management of Alaska's wild salmon according to sustained yield and ecosystem protection principals, resulting in higher production costs and lower harvests compared to Chilean fish farms. This makes it increasingly difficult for Alaska's fishing industry to compete with imported farmed fish.

Senate Joint Resolution 15 urges the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose import restrictions and increased import tariffs on Chilean farmed salmon in order to allow Alaskan fishermen to compete in the domestic market.

"SJR 15 is the first step Alaska must take to fight the massive influx of cheap imported farmed fish in to the U.S.," said Austerman. "We must stand up and help our industry compete against unfair foreign competition."

The resolution passed with a vote of 38 - 1, and a notice of reconsideration was given.

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Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for SJR 15
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 97 K

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