The Secretary of Commerce announced, Friday May 19th the allocation of $223 million appropriated by Congress for fishery disasters, of which $215.9M is for Alaska.
Allocations to specific Alaska fishery disasters are:
- 2021/2022 Bristol Bay Red King Crab and Bering Sea Snow Crab Fisheries: $94.5 million
- 2022/2023 Bristol Bay Red King Crab and Bering Sea Snow Crab Fisheries: $96.6 million
- 2021 Kuskokwim River Salmon and Norton Sound Chum and Coho Salmon Fisheries: $1.3 million
- 2021 Chignik Salmon Fisheries: $4.9 million
- 2020 Copper River and Prince William Sound salmon fisheries: $15.7 million
- 2020 and 2021 Norton Sound Red King Crab Fisheries: $2.8 million
Governor Mike Dunleavy said, “Alaska had submitted these requests for disaster relief after concluding that they qualified as disasters. Alaska is pleased that the Secretary concurred with these disaster applications and that awards have been made. These awards will offset some of the economic impacts that fishermen, processors, and communities suffered as well as support research to help ensure that future disasters are prevented.”
Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang added saying, “Moving forward, the Department will work with affected stakeholders to develop spend plans for each fishery. Given the number of affected fisheries, the Department plans to host a virtual listening session to receive input from affected fishery participants. Meeting details for the virtual listening session will be released as soon as possible.”
The Department will develop draft spend plans based on input received in the listening session and through online public comment. Opportunities to comment on the draft plan will be provided before the final plans are submitted for approval.
