Alaskan seafood gets ARCTIC bill boost
The seafood industry in Alaska will be given a boost by the Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber and Indigenous Commodities (ARCTIC) Act, introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski on 18 July.
The Act is part of the ‘Farm Bill’ legislation, enacted every five years to address a variety of programmes in areas such as farming support, conservation, rural development and speciality crops.
“By supporting Alaska’s farmers and our seafood, floriculture, and forestry industries, addressing low-income Alaskans’ housing needs and expanding Tribal self-governance, my Improving ARCTIC Act focuses on Alaska’s priorities,” said Senator Murkowski.
The bill will strengthen Alaska’s seafood industry in a number of ways, namely by:
- Including country of origin seafood labelling on crab and creating a ‘Wild USA Seafood’ label
- Expanding the eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish to USDA programmes
- Supporting domestic seafood product
- Creating a grant programme to promote the sustainable use of marine products
- Extending credit to businesses supporting producers and harvesters of aquatic products
- Requiring market names for genetically engineered fish and cultivated fish
The new bill has been welcomed by the industry. Linda Behnken, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, said that Senator Murkowski has ‘helped the USDA remember that investments in America’s seafood industry and fishing communities benefit our nation’s health and food security’.
Julie Decker, executive director of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, agreed. “This bill represents the kind of holistic approach we need to promote our responsibly-managed domestic seafood industry with a more level-playing field, support continued work towards 100% utilisation in the seafood industry and explore new opportunities for sustainable economic development in our coastal communities,” she said.
