2016 pink salmon disaster relief clears final federal hurdle, NOAA releases funds

Fishermen are advised to make sure ADF&G has accurate mailing address so they can receive paperwork needed to get funds.

 

There’s good news for Gulf of Alaska pink salmon fishermen who suffered losses during the disastrous 2016 season.

Relief money from the federal government has cleared the final Washington hurdle.

Rep. Louise Stutes of Kodiak is spearheading the effort to get salmon fishermen some help.

She got the news on Monday afternoon that the money is being released.

 

“I just got off the phone from Murkowski’s office and NOAA has released the funds for the pink salmon disaster relief. And they’ve released it to Pacific States. They’ve released all the funds except for the funds for the municipalities. They’re still trying to fine tune that but they don’t want to hold up the fishermen’s funds any longer.

 

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, in Portland, will administrator the federal grant. It is working closely with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to finalize the form that will be sent out to fishermen.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s staff has acted as a go-between for Stutes and the federal agencies involved which had to approve the release of the funding.

 

Pink salmon from Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.

Stutes said there will be more information by mid-week, but fishermen can expect a website with details, and a 24-hour hotline to be activated to help with claims.

In the meantime, Randy Fisher, who is the Executive Director at Pacific States, said it’s important that fishermen let ADF&G know if there has been any change is their mailing address.

 

“Well just make sure that they get all their information in, and if they’ve changed addresses get ahold of whoever the granting people are, which would be Alaska Department of Fish and Game and get a correct address. That’s important.”

 

Since this is a breaking story, KMXT will have updates later this week.

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