Seafood firms in the US state of Alaska have joined forces to support imposition of a ban on seafood imports from Russia and also urged Russia to ease its ban on US food imports.
The move will support sustainable and quality fisheries in the country, while at the same time further squeeze Russia's faltering economy.
The proposed ban will be in effect until Russia cancels its ban on the US imports and will include mechanisms to prohibit all seafood imports of Russian origin, including Russian-caught seafood that is transferred through other countries such as China before reaching the country.
Around $6bn worth Alaska seafood industry is seeking support from the Alaska congressional delegation for the ban, as well as from the United States Trade Representative.
Alaska General Seafoods, Alyeska Seafoods, Icicle Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Peter Pan Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, UniSea, Westward Seafoods, and the members of the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers are among the firms supporting the ban.
UniSea president and CEO Terry Shaff said: "We did not start this fight, and we hope the Russians will call off their embargo.
"But a U.S. ban will signal to President Putin that America will not sit idly by while Russia disregards international law and tries to coerce the world into ignoring its transgressions through retaliatory actions."
