fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

As a candidate, Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), the first Alaska Native ever elected to Congress, ran as a “pro-fish” candidate. Now, she is in Congress, Peltola, with U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rob Wittman (R-VA) have launched the bipartisan American Seafood Caucus.

The purpose of the caucus is to provide a forum for seafood policy champions to find common ground and ensure that healthy, domestically produced, seafood doesn’t take a backseat to foreign products that often don’t uphold our quality and sustainability standards, or may be illegally subsidized by foreign governments.

 

Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. 

The federal government should treat seafood as a priority to maintain the health and productivity of our oceans, according to Peltola.

"American and Alaskan seafood feeds millions at home and around the world," Peltola said. "It is nutritious, sustainable, and among the highest quality in the world. It is as important to our food system as other agricultural products. Right now, Russia and China are pursuing exploitative trawling that is damaging our fisheries and processing that is flooding the global market with environmentally harmful, unethically produced seafood. America needs a national strategy to respond and protect our domestic fishermen. I am proud to co-found this bipartisan caucus and help lead the way for all of America's oceans." 

The inaugural co-chairs represent the United States’s four major coastlines and intend to involve a diverse membership from different regions of the country. The caucus reaffirms the members’ commitment to ensuring American seafood and our fishing communities have a level playing field in both the global and domestic markets.

The following organizations are in support of the newly formed caucus: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Louisiana Shrimp Association, Gulf Shellfish Farmers Association, Taylor Shellfish Farms, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Hama Hama Oysters, Virginia Seafood, and Shellfish Growers of Virginia.

More Stories Like This

'This has Been a Train Wreck for a Long Time' | Fentanyl Trafficking, Underfunded Tribal Enforcement Subject of Senate Committee Hearing
National Park Service to Do Theme Study on Indian Reorganization Period
President Biden's Remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Summit
Judge Shanlyn Park Confirmed to U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai'i in Historic Appointment
2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit Underway in Washington, DC

Together, we can educate, enlighten, and empower.

November is celebrated as “Native American Heritage Month.” At Native News Online, we amplify Native voices and share our relatives’ unique perspectives every day of the year. We believe every month should celebrate Native American heritage. 
If you appreciate our commitment to Native voices and our mission to tell stories that connect us to our roots and inspire understanding and respect, we hope you will consider making a donation this month to support our work. For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication and access to our quarterly Founder’s Circle meetings and newsletter.  
About The Author
Native News Online Staff
Author: Native News Online StaffEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].