NOAA allocates $123.6M in fishery disaster aid for fishing communities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States has announced the allocation of $123.6 million in fishery disaster assistance funding, approved by Congress under the American Relief Act, 2025.

This funding will be used to address fishery resource disasters that occurred in Oregon, California, the Squaxin Island Tribe, and multiple Alaska fisheries between 2019 and 2023. These include the Bering Sea snow crab fishery and the Oregon ocean commercial salmon fishery.

"These disaster assistance funds provide much-needed support to our fishing industry, and we will work with the affected communities to help them recover. This action demonstrates our continued commitment to hardworking American fishermen and to the President's vision of maintaining the United States as the world's leading seafood producer," detailed Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator.

This initiative will support commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, charter businesses, shore-side infrastructure, subsistence users, and other affected community groups.

Eligible projects will include fishery-related activities, habitat restoration, state-run vessel and permit buyback programs, and job retraining initiatives.

In addition, affected fishing industry businesses may be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration. NOAA Fisheries will administer the funds and urges fishing communities and individuals impacted to coordinate with their respective state or tribe.

"NOAA will continue to provide guidance and resources to support recovery efforts and help build more resilient fishing communities in the future," assured Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries.