Elected municipal leaders in the US state of Alaska's capital city oppose cutbacks to salmon hatchery production to be considered by the state's fisheries board, KTOO Public Media reports.

The Alaska Board of Fisheries – an appointed panel that sets fishing regulations in state-managed waters – will consider a proposal to "reduce the permitted egg take of pink and chum salmon of each applicable Southeast hatchery for pink and chum salmon by 25%," as Undercurrent News earlier reported. 

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Proposal to slash Prince William Sound pink salmon hatchery production panned by fishing groups, civic leaders

Proponents fear hatchery salmon are out-competing other salmon species like chinook in the marine environment. But hatchery professionals warn that the reduction could harm Alaska's seafood sector.

"A 25% reduction in chum salmon production would lead to a likelihood of potential for the two seafood processors in town to be unable to operate year-round," Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) hatchery executive director Katie Harms told the Juneau Assembly, KTOO reported.

The Assembly voted, 7-1, on Monday (Jan. 5) to oppose the reduction when it goes before the board of fish next month at a regional meeting in Ketchikan, Alaska. It noted that more than half of Southeast Alaska's 2024 commercial harvest value came from hatcheries.

Only assembly member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs objected to the resolution, saying she would rather defer to the fisheries board to make the decision. 

"I care about our wild stock tremendously, and I want to make sure fish are going to be here," Hughes-Skandijs said, the Juneau-based public radio station reported. "I would want them to review the data and make an informed decision, which I can't do with this."