The Department of Commerce declared a commercial fishery failure on the Kuskokwim River, Yukon River, and in the Upper Cook Inlet due to low Chinook salmon returns – making future federal aid possible for impacted regions. The announcement comes in response to the Alaska delegation supporting Governor Sean Parnell’s requests and concerns raised by the Alaska Federation of Natives.
In June, Senator Murkowski advised NOAA, USDA, and FEMA that Chinook returns to Alaska were weak statewide this season, and have been below average in many areas in recent years. The Senator explained to these agencies that it is imperative that all appropriate federal resources be made available to affected communities and fisheries as quickly as possible. The low king salmon runs have had devastating impacts on commercial and sport fishing industries, as well as subsistence users. Many communities dependent on subsistence, including the Alaska Native peoples who for generations have depended on fish to feed their families, do not have an adequate supply of king salmon this year and many commercial fishermen and sport fishing guides have lost the majority of their income this fishing season.
The Senator understands that fisheries are critical to Alaska’s economy, culture and lifestyle, and the anemic King runs this season have hurt numerous areas in the state and deserves the attention and assistance of the federal government. Senator Murkowski believes the Commerce declaration demonstrates that the Alaska delegation clearly made their case to the federal government and they see the disastrous impacts of low salmon runs on Alaska.
The declaration is a positive advancement for Alaska, but it is just the first step of a lengthy process. The time involved between a declaration decision and disbursement of funds can take over a year. For more information on federal fishery disaster assistance, please visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/sf3/disaster.htm.
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