Russian Seafood Ban
Dear Editor: Alaska’s Congressional delegation recently worked with President Biden to secure an Executive Order expanding the U.S. prohibition on Russian seafood to include imports of Russian-caught seafood being re-processed, or substantially transformed, in third countries. The expanded prohibition applies to all salmon, pollock, cod, and crab products harvested in Russian waters or by Russia-flagged vessels, even if those products have been substantially transformed in a third country.
For almost a decade, Russia has banned almost all American seafood while the U.S. has continued to allow imports of Russian seafood. And then for almost two years, since the outbreak of Russia’s illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine and President Biden’s Executive Order 14068 that banned seafood of Russian origin’s import to the U.S., the U.S. has continued to allow imports of Russian seafood provided that seafood was reprocessed in another country.
This has created a one-sided trade relationship that has significantly hurt Alaska’s seafood markets and fishing communities. Closing this loophole on Russian products being reprocessed in another country and then flooding U.S. markets with low cost seafood helps level the playing field for U.S. seafood and stabilize the Alaska fishing industry. It also responds to our country’s strong objection to Russia’s unjust war on Ukraine by closing a revenue stream that is helping to fund that war.
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association applauds this bi-partisan effort to support U.S. seafood markets and Alaska’s fisheries. We appreciate the leadership of Alaska’s Senator Sullivan, and the hard work and support of Representative Peltola and Senator Murkowski to help push this forward.
2023 was a tough year for Alaska’s fisheries, but this Executive Order offers hope for a brighter 2024. Many thanks to Alaska’s pro-fish delegation for delivering this win!
Linda Behnken, Executive Director,
on behalf of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
Card of Thanks
Dear Editor: The Stewart family would like to thank everyone, especially the fishing community, who showed up with love, support and generosity in honor of Jeff Stewart.
We do not have the information to individually express our appreciation to those who made donations for Jeff’s children, but our family is truly touched by the overwhelming send off. We will miss him dearly and cannot thank you enough.
“Don’t worry, or feel sad for me, I’m fishin’ with the master of the sea.”
The Jeff Stewart Family
