Federal officials have announced the release of $123.6 million in disaster relief funding aimed at helping fishing communities devastated by a series of fishery collapses across Alaska, Oregon, California, and the Squaxin Island Tribe.
NOAA made the announcement, saying the money was appropriated by Congress through the American Relief Act, 2025. The funding is intended to address fishery resource disasters that were declared between 2019 and 2023.
“Fishery resource disasters have devastating effects on local communities and our economy,” said NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs, Ph.D. “This disaster funding provides much needed assistance to our fishing industry, and we will work with the affected communities to help them recover. This action demonstrates our continued commitment to hardworking American fishermen and to the president’s vision to uphold the United States as the world’s dominant seafood leader.”
The funding covers several previously declared disasters, including the 2023/2024 Bering Sea snow crab fishery in Alaska, the 2023 Oregon ocean commercial salmon fishery, the 2022 Chignik salmon fishery in Alaska, the 2023 Upper Cook Inlet East Side Setnet salmon fishery in Alaska, the 2024 Sacramento River Fall Chinook and Klamath River Fall Chinook ocean and inland salmon fisheries in California, and the 2023 Squaxin Island Tribe Puget Sound Fall Chum salmon fishery in Washington.
NOAA Fisheries calculated how to divide the money among the affected disasters based on commercial revenue loss data.
“These fishery resource disasters are of great concern for the fishing industry and the people and communities that depend on these fisheries to support their local economies,” said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “NOAA will continue to provide guidance and resources to boost recovery and support more resilient fishing communities in the future.”
The relief money is designed to strengthen the long-term economic and environmental health of the affected fisheries. Eligible uses for the funds include infrastructure improvements, habitat restoration, vessel and fishing permit buyback programs run by states, and job retraining programs. Commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, charter boat businesses, shore-side operations, and subsistence users may all qualify for assistance. Some fishing-related businesses may also be able to seek additional help through the Small Business Administration.
NOAA Fisheries, acting under authority delegated by the secretary of commerce, will oversee the distribution of the funds. The agency will coordinate with the states of Alaska, California, and Oregon, as well as the Squaxin Island Tribe. Fishing community members and individuals affected by these disasters are encouraged to reach out to their state or tribal representatives for guidance on how to access the assistance.
