The Senate resolution establishing the task force says "considerable changes in the global salmon market in recent years have placed the state's seafood industry in economic peril."
In recent months, we've received numerous signals of industry distress not only on the salmon side but in other fisheries as well. And we've seen extraordinary actions such as companies publicly putting assets up for sale.
All these signs portend a potential price crash for commercial fishermen this year.
The task force resolution is set for a hearing at 9 a.m. Thursday in the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
Deckboss understands the task force idea has the backing of the state's two flagship industry organizations — United Fishermen of Alaska and the Pacific Seafood Processors Association.
Such a task force is reminiscent of the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force that operated from 2002 to 2004.
What is the industry looking to get out of this latest task force?
A PSPA position paper currently making the rounds suggests a number of state actions including low-interest loans and loan guarantees for seafood processors via the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. It also suggests loan concessions for fishermen and hatcheries.
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Here's a sponsor statement on the Senate resolution:
https://www.akleg.gov/basis/get_documents.asp?session=33&docid=30791
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