Six fishery disasters have been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce for Alaska. This includes the Yukon Kuskokwim salmon fisheries and Chignik salmon fisheries. Crabbers will also receive relief from the Bering Sea red king crab fisheries and Bristol Bay red crab fisheries for this year. Due to low numbers, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game declared this fall that both fisheries would be closed for the remainder of the season.
Alaska’s congressional delegation praised Friday’s disaster approvals in a joint declaration.
Gabriel Prout, a Bering Sea crab fisherman hailing from Kodiak, is Gabriel Prout. With his family, he owns the F/V Silver Spray. Although there is still uncertainty about the future of the fleet, he believes Friday’s announcement was a significant step forward.
Prout stated that it brought some psychological relief to the fishermen.
Jamie Goen, Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers Executive director, stated in an email that the trade organization “looks forward” to Congress acting quickly to appropriate funds to aid America’s coastal communities and fishermen in these crises.
Researchers aren’t sure what caused the collapse of the snow crab population, which resulted in the closure of the fishery. However, they believe that climate change played a role. Climate change is also likely to be a factor in salmon declines in western Alaska.
Congress must still allocate funds for each disaster, and fishermen can apply for financial aid. It can take years for money to be available to skippers and crews.
The U.S. Commerce Secretary issued determinations that these fisheries were the scene of disasters:
- 2021-22 Bristol Bay red-king crab and Bering sea snow crab fisheries
- 2021 Kuskokwim river salmon, Norton Sound chum, and coho salmon fisheries
- 2021 Chignik salmon fisheries
- 2020 Copper River/Prince William Sound pink salmon and coho fisheries
- 2020-21 Norton Sound red-king crab fisheries
- 2022-23 Bering Sea red king crab and Bering sea snow crab fisheries
