Russian seafood floods US markets as Alaska fishermen seek relief

Russian seafood continues to reach US markets despite a federal import ban now in its fifth year, raising questions about whether the policy has delivered price relief to Alaska fishermen.

President Biden banned Russian seafood imports in March 2022. The Alaska House passed House Joint Resolution 29 in March by unanimous consent, urging the ban's continuation and stronger enforcement. The measure advanced to the Alaska Senate.

Russian officials have stated publicly they aim to flood global seafood markets to drive down prices paid to Alaska harvesters. The strategy targets pollock, cod, and salmon markets where Alaska and Russian products compete.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, questioned Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, about the ban's effectiveness during a June 2 Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing.

The import ban has been in effect for over four years. Russian seafood can still reach US consumers through third-country processing or transshipment. China processes significant volumes of Russian pollock and cod before exporting finished products to the United States.

Alaska fishermen report continued price pressure in markets where Russian product competes. Pollock prices paid to harvesters in 2025 remained below pre-ban levels.

House Joint Resolution 29 calls for stronger federal enforcement of the existing ban and better tracking of seafood origin through the supply chain. The resolution awaits action in the Alaska Senate.

The Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, titled "The Blue Economy: Advancing American Fisheries, Maritime Strength, and Coastal Economies," included testimony from three Alaska witnesses: Tommy Sheridan, director of the Alaska Blue Economy Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; Woodrow; and Nathan Wardwell, managing partner of JOA Surveys, LLC.