The importance seafood jobs to the U.S. economy was the subject of a 30 March congressional hearing.
For the hearing, the National Seafood Marketing Coalition (NSMC) briefed the U.S. Senate Oceans Caucus on the challenges and opportunities facing the domestic seafood industry, especially as it pertains to employment.
The hearing featured U.S. Sens. Mark Begich (pictured) and Lisa Murkowski, both of Alaska. Murkowski is co-chair of the new Oceans Caucus, formed last year to address the issues facing the oceans and coasts.
Addressing lawmakers were NSMC Director Bruce Schactler; Phil Lansing, a seafood economist with Analytical Consulting; Dr. David Veal, executive director of American Shrimp Processors Association; Natalie Webster, director of American Albacore Fishing Association and U.S. Pole & Troll Albacore Fishery; Jack Brooks, president of J M Clayton Co.; and Dane Somers, executive director of the Maine Lobster Council.
The hearing came about two-and-a-half weeks after Schactler and others held a conference at the International Boston Seafood Show featuring Begich, Murkowski and U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts.9
The hearing, posted to YouTube by Murkowski’s office, ran for just over an hour.
