$50 Million Salmon Industry Revitalization Plan Announced

April 17, 2003
No. 03-089

(Juneau) - Under a plan announced today by Governor Frank H. Murkowski, Alaska's troubled salmon industry will receive a $50 million shot in the arm. Funding will cover a full range of aid to the industry, including help for individual fishermen and fishing families, aid to municipalities that have seen a drop in raw fish taxes, economic development projects, and a multi-year, intensive marketing program, among other efforts.

"The key element of this plan is the concentrated marketing and advertising campaign through ASMI to the consumer in the Lower 48," Murkowski said. "We want every potential salmon consumer to know the difference between our wild Alaska salmon, with it's high Omega-3 content, and farmed salmon. Europe is another developing market that needs to know the difference. We really see this funding as an excellent opportunity for a national education campaign on Alaska wild salmon products.

"Our objective is to transition the salmon industry through a very tough time to establish a vibrant and competitive industry, and new way of marketing our wild Alaska salmon," Murkowski said. "This is an historic time for the Alaska salmon industry. The erosion of market share to farmed salmon has been devastating. But, we have a better product. The $50 million in funds we have committed to the process of reclaiming our market for wild Alaska salmon will be used on many fronts to turn the tide."

Murkowski acknowledged the hard work and leadership of Senator Ted Stevens in obtaining federal funding, and the members of the Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force, who have held extensive hearing statewide on the issue. Many of the task force's recommendations have been included in the strategic plan announced by the Governor today.

In addition to direct aid to individuals experiencing economic hardships, direct aid to impacted communities, and an intensive marketing program, the strategic plan will help bring about higher quality control standards and better transportation. This should result in a higher quality product in the marketplace, Murkowski said. Other uses of the funding will go to economic development projects, such as chilling and freezing infrastructure, harbor and transportation infrastructure projects, and small business assistance.

The funding includes $35 million in Fisheries Disaster Funds and $15 million earmarked for economic development through the Southeast Sustainable Salmon Funds.