Rep. Sarah Vance will host a House District 6 seafood industry roundtable discussion on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the City of Homer’s Port and Harbor Office conference room located at 4311 Freight Dock Road. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

The roundtable will provide an opportunity for local fishermen and industry stakeholders to discuss concerns and share insights ahead of the state’s first task force meeting that will take Sept. 19 at the Legislative Information Office in Anchorage, according to an Aug. 30 press release from Vance’s office.

The task force was created in July 2024 and includes Sens. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak; Bert Stedman, R-Sitka; Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski; and Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau. House members include Reps. Vance; Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham; George Rauscher, R-Sutton; and Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak.

The intention of the joint legislative task force is to evaluate Alaska’s seafood industry in response to the pressing economic challenges the state faces, according to a press release from the Alaska Senate in July.

Key issues identified in the press release include decreased consumer demand, historically low prices paid to fishermen and processors in 2023, and the potential closure of numerous seafood processing facilities. 2024 also saw historically weak pink salmon runs across Alaska.

Vance, a member of the task force who also serves as chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries, said she is “committed to representing the interests of small-boat fishermen like you,” according to the Aug. 30 release.

The task force will meet once each month for full-day meetings at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office in Anchorage. Details on how to attend the meetings online will be provided closer to the meeting dates. They can also be watched live on the Legislature’s website at www.akleg.gov under the “Live Now” tab.