Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet are dragged up onto the beach at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet are dragged up onto the beach at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Spend plan moves forward for 2021 and 2022 setnet fishery disasters

The National Marine Fisheries Service in June allocated $11,484,675 to address losses from the 2021 and 2022 fisheries

A final draft spend plan for federal funds responding to a disaster determination for the 2021 and 2022 Upper Cook Inlet east side setnet fisheries was forwarded by the State Department of Fish and Game to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission on Wednesday. The commission will distribute the funds once the grant is approved.

A public notice from the department says that the National Marine Fisheries Service in June allocated $11,484,675 to address losses from the 2021 and 2022 fisheries. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce made the disaster determination in April, responding to an October request from Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

The ESSN has faced significant restrictions in recent years to protect king salmon. Those restrictions culminated in a complete season closure announced months before their scheduled start in 2023. This year, the fishery is again entirely closed, but some openings have been allowed with dipnets — which received approval by the State Board of Fisheries and emergency approval by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Since July, the department has completed three revisions of a draft spend plan responding to a total of 73 written comments. The draft plan says that 62% of the money, around $7 million, will be dispersed to harvesters. Around $3 million will go to processors, $1 million to research, $300,000 to communities and $11,000 for program support.

Funding for harvesters is separated into two pools. The larger share, 90%, will go to permit holders who have a valid and registered S04H permit with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and who purchased a buoy sticker for 2021 or 2022. The plan says there are 422 eligible permits in 2021 and 402 eligible permits in 2022.

Crew will receive the remaining 10%. To receive payment a crew member must have held an annual crew license or a CFEC permit for any fishery. They must provide information to show they participated as crew in either the 2021 or 2022 seasons, and someone cannot qualify as both permit holder and crew in the same year.

Communities that “may be eligible” for funds are Homer, Kenai, Soldotna and the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Research “suggested” in the plan include increasing understanding of “specific mechanisms” that drive productivity of Kenai River late-run king salmon, improvements to forecasting of king salmon, exploration of the impacts of large sockeye salmon escapements and evaluation of “alternative gear types aimed at reducing harvest of weak stocks.”

The department writes that the plan has been forwarded to the commission, “once the grant is approved, PSMFC can begin the fund distribution process.”

A draft plan was previously submitted to the commission for the 2018 ESSN and 2020 Upper Cook Inlet salmon fisheries in September 2023. Funds have not yet been distributed for either of those disasters.

The Alaska Delegation — Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Mary Peltola — announced last month that $277 million had been allocated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to address delayed funding for fishery disasters in Alaska, including the local 2018 and 2020 disasters, but the commission says that funding still has yet to be received.

The offices of all three members of the delegation did not respond to questions about that announcement on Sept. 20.

A third local disaster determination was also recognized for the 2023 Upper Cook Inlet east side setnet salmon fishery in June. The National Marine Fisheries Service hasn’t yet allocated funds for that disaster.

The draft plans can be found at either adfg.alaska.gov or in Alaska’s Online Public Notices.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks during a meeting of the UA Board of Regents at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pitney: UA, KPC seeing momentum, attendance growth

The university president described KPC as “a leader of the pack” in enrollment growth at the university

University of Alaska Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins speaks during a meeting at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Where does this end?’: University of Alaska to strip diversity and inclusivity language from programs, policies

The board was clear during the meeting that they were responding to pressure from the federal government.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich holds a telephone town hall on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Screenshot from the Facebook page of U.S. Rep. Nick Begich)
Murkowski, Begich host telephone town halls to address constituent concerns

Both events were inaccessible to some, who grew frustrated at technical problems

Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education funding bill unexpectedly advances again, nears House floor vote amid affordability concerns

HB 69 clears Finance Committee at first hearing as minority says discussions there are not worthwhile.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai accepts federal grant for police vests

The funds entirely cover the purchase of three ballistic vests this fiscal year.

Soldotna High School student Ethan Anding asks a question during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
District discusses $17M deficit at community meeting

More than 100 people gathered in the KCHS auditorium.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Man found dead near Kasilof roadway on Tuesday

He was found off Pollard Loop Road near Reindeer Lane in the Kasilof area.

Fire Marshal Jeremy Hamilton gives a tour to students during Job Shadow Day at Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Roddy Craig/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai students try on careers for Job Shadow Day

Roughly 100 students from Kenai Central High School scattered to more than 30 businesses to get a feel for the workforce.

A 2015 Ford Explorer that was stolen from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce before crashing into a tree near Wells Fargo Bank is loaded onto a tow truck in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Car stolen, crashed in Kenai

The car was reportedly taken from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Most Read