August 11, 2014 — U.S. economic sanctions against Russia over Ukraine may wind up helping the Alaskan fishing industry.
At least that’s the hope of those promoting “Just Say Nyet,” a petition intended to get Congress to ban Russian seafood imports.
Organizers cite Russia’s possible involvement in the downing of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet over Ukraine on July 17, and Russian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war as reasons to boycott Russian seafood.
The Just Say Nyet website features a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a giant pike. Kremlin aides have said he caught the freshwater fish in a lake in Siberia, not the Gulf of Alaska.
The Barack Obama Administration and the European Union have added sanctions against Moscow for its interference in Ukraine, imposing four rounds of travel bans and asset freezes since March against individuals, banks, oil companies, arms suppliers and other institutions. Fish has yet to make the list.
Read the full story from the McClatchy-Tribune at Personal Liberty Digest