Alaska lawmakers press for extension of ban on Russian seafood imports
February 27, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Alaska, Alaska
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Representative Louise Stutes, sponsor of House Joint Resolution 29, told the Senate Resources Committee on Feb. 27 that HJR 29 asks the federal government to extend executive orders that prohibit Russian seafood imports into the United States and to strengthen enforcement against circumvention.
"This legislation calls on our federal government to continue the ban in Russian seafood imports into the United States that is set to expire later this year," Stutes said, adding that Alaska’s seafood industry is the state’s largest private employer and needs continued market protection.
Matt Greening, staff to the House Fisheries Committee, cited the executive orders named in the resolution packet and said the resolution seeks to push the issue to the president’s desk before the ban expires. He and other witnesses warned that a prior loophole allowed Russian seafood to be processed in third countries and then imported to the U.S., undermining the ban.
Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), said the initial ban reduced Russian product in the U.S. marketplace but that transshipment through China produced a spike in imports that harmed prices. "We need more time to really capture the U.S. marketplace," Woodrow said, arguing the industry has not yet recovered.
Gina Decker, president of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA), cited industry figures and a NOAA estimate of losses to the Alaska seafood industry in 2023. "These prohibitions have helped to begin stabilizing the Alaska seafood industry," Decker said, and she urged swift federal action and stronger enforcement.
A Kodiak commercial fisherman, Bruce Shackler, offered two minutes of public testimony in support and said the resolution would help the domestic market. The committee closed public testimony, set HJR 29 aside for future consideration, and set an amendment deadline for March 4 at noon.
No final action was taken at the Feb. 27 hearing; the resolution will return to committee for further work before any transmittal to federal actors.
"This legislation calls on our federal government to continue the ban in Russian seafood imports into the United States that is set to expire later this year," Stutes said, adding that Alaska’s seafood industry is the state’s largest private employer and needs continued market protection.
Matt Greening, staff to the House Fisheries Committee, cited the executive orders named in the resolution packet and said the resolution seeks to push the issue to the president’s desk before the ban expires. He and other witnesses warned that a prior loophole allowed Russian seafood to be processed in third countries and then imported to the U.S., undermining the ban.
Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), said the initial ban reduced Russian product in the U.S. marketplace but that transshipment through China produced a spike in imports that harmed prices. "We need more time to really capture the U.S. marketplace," Woodrow said, arguing the industry has not yet recovered.
Gina Decker, president of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA), cited industry figures and a NOAA estimate of losses to the Alaska seafood industry in 2023. "These prohibitions have helped to begin stabilizing the Alaska seafood industry," Decker said, and she urged swift federal action and stronger enforcement.
A Kodiak commercial fisherman, Bruce Shackler, offered two minutes of public testimony in support and said the resolution would help the domestic market. The committee closed public testimony, set HJR 29 aside for future consideration, and set an amendment deadline for March 4 at noon.
No final action was taken at the Feb. 27 hearing; the resolution will return to committee for further work before any transmittal to federal actors.
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