A resolution supporting the need to keep the University of Alaska’s Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center open, despite budget cuts, has passed the House and is now awaiting action in the Senate.
“The seafood industry is vital to the Alaska economy and we should maintain the infrastructure that supports that industry so that it can continue as the largest private sector employer in the state,” said Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
“I recognize that the University of Alaska is struggling with budget cuts, but it’s the opinion of the Alaska House that the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center is too important to close.”
HCR 8, which was introduced in Stutes’ committee., passed the House by a vote of 40-1 on April 7, and went to the Senate on April 12.
The seafood industry in Alaska currently employs about 60,000 people annually, and pays $1.6 billion in wages and salaries.
The marine science center was established in 1981. The building on Kodiak Island housing the center was built with funds from the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement.
It hosts five laboratories, a 5,000 square foot pilot seafood processing plant and classrooms to train seafood industry workers.
