(ANCHORAGE) - Members of the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force worked over the weekend and into Monday to reorganize its committees and tackle this year's pressing issues.

New this year is the Hatchery Sub-Committee, which will examine the issues surrounding statewide hatchery produced salmon. In addition, the Task Force combined the Quality and Marketing Sub-Committees realizing the importance of the close tie between quality and the market.

"The reason for the changes, we wanted to model the sub-committees to address the outstanding issues affecting the salmon industry," said Sen. Ben Stevens (R-Anchorage).

Three new members have also been appointed to the Task Force. Rep. Carl Morgan (R-Aniak) will co chair the Governance Committee along with newcomer Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer). Also new, Rep. Dan Ogg (R-Kodiak). Ogg has been selected to chair the Finance Committee.

The sub-committees will meet over the next several months and will receive public testimony. During that time, they will also develop recommendations for the full Task Force that will meet again December 7th & 8th in Anchorage.

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