Kachemak Bay in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The salmon fishery in this area is one of those that will receive fisheries disaster relief funding.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, announced the allocation of USD 12.2 million (EUR 11.39 million) to address fishery resource disasters that occurred in Alaska and Puget Sound, Washington, in 2021 and 2022. "Each year, we see how climate change continues to have severe impacts on the fisheries and ecosystems that are vital to our economy, and the Commerce Department is working to mitigate these impacts," she said.
The funds, approved by Congress in the 2022 and 2023 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Acts, will specifically address fishery resource disasters that occurred in Alaska's 2022 Kuskokwim River salmon fishery, 2021 and 2022 Upper Cook Inlet East Side Setnet salmon fishery, and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's 2021 Puget Sound fall chum and coho salmon fisheries.
"This funding will assist with the recovery of salmon fisheries in communities across Alaska and Puget Sound by bolstering fisheries restoration efforts, minimizing the risk of future disasters and helping build back stronger," the U.S. Secretary of Commerce added.
As Raimondo noted, the allocation can fund activities in support of commercial, recreational, tribal, and subsistence fishing communities, as well as other associated industries affected by the disaster. The ultimate goal is for the funds to improve the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the affected fisheries.
Therefore, in allocating the funds, NOAA Fisheries used commercial, processor, and charter fishery revenue loss information to make the decision. In addition, the agency also considered traditional, cultural, and ceremonial uses of fishery resources, including subsistence, recognizing that such uses go beyond what can be quantified solely through commercial revenue loss.
"Productive and sustainable fisheries are essential for nurturing our Blue Economy, generating employment opportunities, providing sustenance, supporting Alaska Native cultural traditions and preserving the health of our ocean ecosystem," said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "We are optimistic that these disaster funds will make a beneficial impact on the ongoing recovery of the affected tribes and fisheries."
Activities that may be considered for funding include restoration and prevention efforts, including fisheries-related infrastructure projects, habitat restoration initiatives, state vessel and permit buyback programs, and job retraining initiatives.
The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the State of Alaska will be the entities responsible for formulating spending plans for the allocated funds. NOAA Fisheries will be working with them in the coming months to administer the disaster relief funds.
