Final Distribution of Alaska Fisheries Disaster Aid Approved

A federal agency has approved distribution of the final $13 million of aid allocated to Alaska for the 2012 Chinook salmon fishery failure.

Congress last year approved $75 million for fisheries disasters nationwide, including $20.8 million for Alaska. An initial round of in aid included direct payments to commercial fishermen in the Yukon-Kuskokwim and Cook Inlet regions.

NOAA Fisheries says the second tranche includes $4.5 million for direct payments to sport fishing guides and businesses in the recreation fishing sector to compensate for lost income. Another $7.5 million will go toward salmon disaster research, restoration and other work and $700,000 in direct payments will be made to Cook Inlet-area commercial buying stations and salmon buyers.

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission will administer distribution of the funds.