Federal Disaster Relief Coming For Five Alaska Fisheries Areas

The following is courtesy of the State of Alaska:

The following press release is courtesy of the State of Alaska:

Secretary of Commerce Determines Alaska Fisheries Eligible for Disaster Relief

December 16, 2022 (Juneau) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game was informed today that, in response to the Governor of Alaska’s request, US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo found that the following Alaska Fisheries met the requirements for a fishery disaster determination.

2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Bristol Bay Red King Crab and Bering Sea Snow Crab Fisheries

2021 Kuskokwim River Salmon and Norton Sound Chum and Coho Salmon Fisheries

2021 Chignik Salmon Fisheries

2020 Copper River/Prince William Sound Coho and Pink Salmon Fisheries

2020/2021 Norton Sound Red King Crab Fisheries 

Positive determinations make these fisheries eligible for disaster assistance from NOAA. The Secretary, working with NOAA Fisheries, evaluates each fishery disaster request based primarily on data submitted by the requesting state. A declared fishery disaster must meet specific requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and/or the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act.

“This is a critical step in the process of getting economic relief for Alaska fishery participants and fishery- related businesses and families.” said ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang. “We thank the Secretary of Commerce for these disaster determinations and look forward to helping expedite this process where possible.”

This determination provides a basis for Congress to appropriate disaster relief funding. If Congress appropriates disaster relief funding for these fisheries, the State of Alaska will work with NOAA Fisheries and the affected stakeholders to develop a spending plan. The determination of the appropriate allocation of funds for these disasters will be decided once funding is provided. Impacted users will be involved in the development of spend plans.

Information will be updated as available on the ADF&G webpage for federal fishery disasters: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hottopics.fisherydisasters