Alaska governor introduces legislation allowing fish farming in closed systems

Governor of Alaska Mike Dunleavy recently introduced legislation to boost food security and economic opportunity in the state by allowing finfish farming.

Currently, Alaska law prohibits finfish farming except for private non-profit salmon hatcheries.

House Bill 111 would authorise the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation, to permit the cultivation and sale of certain finish in inland, closed system bodies of water.

The legislation:

• Requires all finfish acquired with a finfish farm permit to be sterilised triploids, which are unable to reproduce

• Prohibits cultivating pink, chum, sockeye, coho, chinook and Atlantic salmon

• Requires finfish farms to be enclosed within a natural or artificial escape proof barrier

• Authorises stocking a lake on private property with finfish for personal consumption without a permit if the lake is enclosed with a natural or artificial escape-proof barrier

"Alaska can join other regions of the world by raising fish that can be sold and consumed here in Alaska and be available for export," said Dunleavy.

In 2023, food fish aquaculture sales amounted to US$819.6 million nationwide according to the USDA Aquaculture Census. While catfish accounted for more than half of that value, the second most sold farm-raised fish was trout, followed by tilapia.

Two members of the Alaska state legislature have expressed opposition to the bill, claiming that it will not support the state's commercial fishing industry.

Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon and House Rules Committee Chair Louise Stutes have since released a joint statement saying that allowing fish farming could potentially impact Alaska's wild fish populations, particularly salmon.

In response to the opposition, Dunleavy reiterated that the legislation focuses on ensuring Alaska's food security by diversifying food sources.