Mike Dunleavy, governor of the US state of Alaska, has introduced legislation that would legalize finfish farming in enclosed, inland systems, a move aimed at boosting food security and economic growth in the state, his office announced Friday (Feb. 21).

If passed, Alaska House Bill 111 would allow the controlled cultivation and sale of specific fish species within escape-proof environments, marking a shift in the state's long-standing ban on finfish farming.

Under current state law, finfish farming is prohibited except for private nonprofit salmon hatcheries. The bill would authorize the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation, to issue permits for certain farmed fish in enclosed freshwater systems.

HB 111 includes several safeguards, such as requiring all farmed finfish to be sterilized triploids to prevent reproduction. The farming of salmon species -- including pink, chum, sockeye, coho, chinook, and Atlantic salmon -- would remain prohibited.

Finfish farms would need to be enclosed by natural or artificial barriers to prevent escapes. The bill also contains a provision allowing property owners to stock enclosed lakes with finfish for personal consumption without a permit.

"This legislation is a continuation of my administration's efforts to grow Alaska's food security by creating a new fish farming industry," Dunleavy said. "Alaska can join other regions of the world in raising fish that can be sold and consumed here and exported. This will create jobs, drive economic growth, and provide a new food source for all Alaskans."

The proposal comes as the US aquaculture industry continues to expand. According to the US Department of Agriculture's 2023 Aquaculture Census, food fish aquaculture sales nationwide reached $819.6 million, with catfish leading the sector, followed by trout and tilapia.

Supporters argue that legalizing finfish farming in Alaska could open economic opportunities while maintaining the state's commitment to responsible fisheries management.

However, the bill is expected to face pushback from Alaska's commercial fishing sector and environmental groups, which have long opposed finfish farming over concerns about ecological impact and market competition.