Alaska Pushes for Longer Russian Seafood Ban

0:00It's April 1st, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Anchorage News Today, local news powered by AI. Alaska lawmakers just passed a resolution pushing for a stronger, longer-lasting ban on Russian seafood imports, and it's now on its way to governor. Mike Dunleoby for his sign-off. This comes as part of broader moves to revive the state's struggling fishing industry, with the original ban kicking in back in 2022. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, then expanding last year to block fish, rerouted through places like China. Supporters, including leaders from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, argue the ban needs more time since stockpiles of Russian fish are only now, clearing out, and Alaska's fleets haven't bounced back from some of the worst seasons in 20 years. The push ties into a legislative task force report from early this year, highlighting international trade woes, among other headaches, like low prices, and high costs, leading to bills on tax credits and local revenue shares.

1:01One key bill up for a Cinevote this week would widen tax breaks for processing more fish species into value-added products and push the programs. End date to 2037, while others aim to give local governments a bigger cut of fishing taxes. Efforts building on last year's wins and vetoes to steady the industry for the long haul.