SB 25-GENETICALLY MODIFIED FISH CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the next order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 25 "An Act relating to labeling and identification of genetically modified fish and fish products." SENATOR KIM ELTON, Alaska State Legislature, said the United Fishermen of Alaska support SB 25, which is called the Frankenfish bill. It is a product of the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force, he noted, where members of the fishing industries and legislators came together to tackle the challenges facing the industry. He defined genetically modified fish as those fish whose genetic structure has been altered at the molecular level by means not naturally possible. A glow-in- the-dark aquarium fish has been allowed on the market, but now there is a pending application for genetically modified farmed Atlantic salmon. He said it is assumed that many other species will follow. A United States and Canadian company is creating genetically modified fish to sell around the world. He said SB 25 is simply consumer notification, which is all the state can do on this issue. It requires labeling for retail sales, he concluded. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked about a naval blockade. SENATOR ELTON said it is a difficult situation for Alaska. In this arena, all Alaska can do is to try and draw a bright line between wild, natural fish and industrially farmed fish. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG noted that the biotech industry said it has struck down mandatory labeling in the courts. 4:07:25 PM SENATOR ELTON said at the federal level there is debate on labeling regulations, but there have been no problems with consumer notification on labels at the state level. In Alaska, farmed fish must be labeled, he added. JOHN TWOMLEY, Middle School Student, Juneau, said SB 25 is a good idea because there are unknown concerns about genetically modified seafood on humans and the environment. Consumers could be physically at risk, he said, and people will be unable to avoid that risk. Genetically modified fish will affect Alaska's economy as well by transmitting diseases to wild salmon. They may also take over the habitat of wild salmon, he noted. Short of ending this industry, genetically modified fish should be labeled, he concluded. 4:11:53 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD moved to report SB 25 out of committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 25 was passed out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.