Oyster industry in Alaska faces challenges during pandemic

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Saturday, September 5th, 2020 8:55am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Some oyster farmers in Alaska have raised concerns about the future of the mariculture industry amid declining oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.

Alaska’s Energy Desk reported that Salty Lady Seafood Company owner Meta Mesdag said many of the challenges stem from the industry’s reliance on state funding.

Mesdag says the oysters get tested weekly by a state lab to make sure they are safe to eat.

The state currently pays up to $800 a week for the testing but funding could go away as oil prices have hit record lows and the pandemic added financial pressure on the economy.

More from News of the North

• Ketchikan sees 2 new cases of COVID-19

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - There were two new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Ketchikan today.

• Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champ to drop Iditarod

  Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Norwegian musher Thomas Waerner says he won’t defend his title at next year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race because of restrictions and uncertainty over travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

• Temblor strikes at sea near Sitka on Monday

  Sitka, Alaska (KINY) - An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred 32 miles southwest of Sitka, the United States Geological Survey reported on Monday.

• Accused murderer Fenton Jacobs appears in court

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A man accused of murder appeared telephonically in a Juneau court on Monday afternoon.

• CBJ: More than 2 dozen COVID-19 cases over the weekend

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center is reporting 31 new individuals with COVID-19 in Juneau – 29 are residents and two are nonresidents.

• Pandemic has taken a bite out of seafood trade, consumption

  Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic has hurt the U.S. seafood industry due to a precipitous fall in imports and exports and a drop in the catch of some species.

• Alaska DOC says inmate death COVID-19 related

  Juneau, Alaska (AP) - An inmate with underlying health issues, serving time at an Alaska prison that is experiencing a coronavirus outbreak, died from complications related to COVID-19, the Alaska Department of Corrections said.

• School superintendent outlines when more students may be able to return to classrooms

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - At what level will the Juneau School District be comfortable bringing students back to the classroom?

• Barge rate increase expected to raise Alaska consumer prices

  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s largest barge operator has announced an increase in prices starting next month.

• Many Alaska adults have risk factors for severe COVID-19

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Analysis suggests two out of three Alaska adults have at least one risk factor health officials link with a higher chance of severe COVID-19 infection.

• Ketchikan adds three new cases of COVID-19

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - Ketchikan has seven active cases of COVID-19 after three cases were diagnosed at local clinics on Saturday.

• State reports 523 new cases of COVID-19

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Health & Social Services reported 12 cases in Juneau, four cases in Sitka, and a case in Douglas on Sunday.