ADF&G opens comment on three federal fishery disaster spend plans

Federal fishery disaster relief has a documented history of delays between congressional appropriation and money reaching fishing communities. Alaska is now inviting the people most affected to help shape how the next round gets spent.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is developing spend plans for three recently funded federal fishery disasters and has opened a formal comment period to let commercial fishers, Alaska Native communities, and coastal residents weigh in before allocations are set.

What Is at Stake

The department is coordinating with NOAA Fisheries to identify funding priorities. Listening sessions are planned, though the public notice did not include specific dates, locations, or a statewide schedule.

Earlier this year, at a June 3, 2026 hearing of the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Rep. Val Hoyle said fishing communities were "waiting for relief for disasters that happened five years ago" and that since the current administration took office, "there has been zero actual progress in getting money out the door." That hearing preceded the ADF&G announcement by more than three weeks.

What the Notice Does and Does Not Say

The department's announcement states it is developing spend plans for three recently funded fishery disasters and will work with affected stakeholders and NOAA Fisheries to identify funding priorities. The public notice does not detail the specific disasters covered, the total dollar amounts involved, or the eligible uses for each spend plan.

How to Participate

Karla Bush, Extended Jurisdiction Program Manager at ADF&G and an alternate on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, is the point of contact. She can be reached at (907) 465-6153 or [email protected].