While President Trump was busy denying climate change this week, Sealaska announced they acquired a majority interest in Odyssey Seafoods.
This is Sealaska’s second seafood company acquisition in the past year. In 2016, after years of searching for a company that would be a perfect fit for Sealaska’s values, they settled on Independent Packers Corporation (IPC), a custom seafood processor in Seattle.
CEO Anthony Mallot stated, “Sealaska is also committed to protecting the ocean’s capacity to produce its resources. As an organization whose ownership has sustainably harvested from the ocean for over 10,000 years, we are proud to be engaging in activities that so clearly reflect our heritage.” Those of us who live by the ocean and have personal connections to fishermen know that conditions are changing rapidly. Southeast Alaska is seeing an explosion of squid and other organisms not previously seen here in large numbers.
Sealaska is investing in two seafood companies whose very existence may be threatened by rapidly changing ocean conditions. Sealaska was instrumental to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s independent run for re-election. They contributed money, resources and Sealaska Board member Bryon Mallott served as campaign manager. Now Senator Murkowski is chair of the Energy and Natural Resources committee and has the power to address climate change. So far her actions reflect her commitment to oil company donors, rather than her constituents who depend on a healthy ocean for their livelihoods and food. It is long past time for Sealaska and Sen. Murkowski to step up and address this coming crisis.
Clarice Johnson
Sitka