U.S. Department of Commerce Allocates $39.5 Million in Funding for Alaska Fishery Disaster

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced today the allocation of $39.5 million to address a fishery resource disaster that occurred in the Alaska Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery from 2023 to 2024.

"As climate change continues to have severe impacts on the fisheries and ecosystems that are vital to Alaska's economy, the Department of Commerce remains committed to providing disaster relief across the state," said Secretary Raimondo. "This funding will help Alaskans recover from the Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery disaster, support the community's efforts to prevent future disasters, and keep jobs, recreation and cultural connections thriving."

Congress provided fishery resource disaster assistance funding in the 2022and 2023 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Acts. NOAA Fisheries determined that this fishery is eligible to receive a funding allocation from those appropriations. The funds will improve the impacted fisheries' long-term economic and environmental sustainability. The allocation may fund activities in support of commercial fishing and other associated industries affected by the disaster.

NOAA Fisheries used fishery revenue loss from the commercial fishing and processor sectors as the basis for allocating funds. The allocation is a significantly smaller percentage of losses compared to previous allocations due to limited remaining Congressionally appropriated funding for fisheries disasters. The Secretary has dedicated all remaining available funds to this disaster. If Congress appropriates additional funds for fishery disaster relief, the Secretary will review the

appropriation and take into account Congressional direction to determine whether additional funds will be allocated to this fishery disaster.

"NOAA recognizes the critical role of Bering Sea crab fisheries to Alaska's economic well-being," said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "These funds will help the affected communities recover and take action to prevent future disasters."

NOAA Fisheries will work with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and state of Alaska to ensure statutory and grant requirements are addressed in their spend plan. The spend plan can cover a range of activities, including habitat conservation and restoration, collection of fishery information, capacity reduction efforts, development and repair of fisheries-related public infrastructure and other activities.

Some fishery-related businesses affected by the fishery disasters may also be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration.

See a summary of fishery disaster determinations, including this announcement, and learn more about fishery disaster assistance.

Media contact:

James Miller, [email protected], (202) 579-4845

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