(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 6 by a vote of 33 to zero today. HCR 6 extends the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force until the end of the Second Regular Session of the 23rd Legislature. The task force, comprised of legislators and members of the industry, explores how the Legislature can help Alaska's commercial salmon industry reclaim lost market share and expand into new markets. Rep. Carl Morgan (R-Aniak) said the salmon industry impacts all areas of the state.

"It's one of the economic engines that drive our state. The economics of fish have been important to Alaskans for centuries," Morgan said. "It's a commercial issue and a subsistence issue."

The task force has five subcommittees to address finance, governance, marketing, production and quality for Alaska's commercial salmon industry. These subcommittees identified options to improve the industry that include: statutory changes to improve marketing for Alaska's salmon, monetary contributions of all permit holders in a fishery to protect its long-term health, and further study of inspection standards relating to handling and packing of salmon. Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer) says the task force has many more options to discuss and to propose for legislative consideration.

"Now they'll be able to specifically get into areas that need a lot of work," Seaton said. "It's much better to coordinate this between the industry and the Legislature in a task force environment than it is in the formal setting of a committee."

HCR 6 moves to the Senate.

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02-21-03: Rep. Paul Seaton explains why extending the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force is important.

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Paul Seaton 44 K

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Paul Seaton 303 K