New law could lead to shellfish hatcheries in Alaska

Shellfish hatcheries could be in Alaska's future, under legislation recently signed into law.

The measure allows the Department of Fish and Game to manage shellfish enhancement and restoration projects. Restoration projects are designed to bring a struggling stock back to a self-sustaining level, while enhancement projects would boost the stock to allow for commercial harvest.

The new laws give the department another tool to address declining shellfish stock, such as red and blue king crab, sea cucumber, abalone and razor clams, said Ketchikan-Wrangell Rep. Dan Ortiz, who sponsored the bill th...