 Assistance for Southeast, Other Alaskans Comparable to Western Fish Disaster October 18, 2002
"Alaska's salmon industry is in distress not just regionally, but across our state," Knowles said. "It is increasingly difficult for many dependent on commercial salmon fishing for their livelihoods to make ends meet. The statewide ex-vessel salmon value this year is about $150 million, compared to $216 million last year and down from $728 million in 1988. Prices for salmon are so low that 100 Southeast Alaska seiners, approximately a third of the fleet, did not fish this year. In Prince William Sound and Bristol Bay the situation is equally dire: the market price of salmon is so low many fishing boats did not even leave the docks." Building on successes and lessons learned in recent years, Knowles directed the Department of Community and Economic Development to coordinate state assistance programs and federal services, with direct outreach by staff to salmon fishing families in each impacted region. Knowles directed the State of Alaska's economic development, diversification, and jobs resources to be brought to bear, including:
Additionally, Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer recently wrote the National Park Service seeking payment of compensation to fishermen who have been denied access to fish in Glacier Bay National Park. "Southeast Alaska fishermen need help now, and the Park Service should make good on its commitments," said Ulmer. Some 800 fishermen and others affected by the closure are eligible for $23 million in compensation, but payment has been on hold pending the resolution of appeals. In recognition of the salmon emergency, Ulmer asked the Park Service to expedite the hearing process or offer interim payments to affected fishermen. Knowles' action comes in response to requests from the Southeast Conference of Mayors, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes, and Reps. Albert Kookesk of Angoon and Reggie Joule of Kotzebue. Knowles noted that because the regional economy of Southeast, Kotzebue, and other affected areas are relatively diversified, neither the state disaster statute, the federal disaster law, nor the Magnuson-Stevens Act fishery failure provisions apply. He also noted that little, if any, new federal assistance is available to Western Alaska, Bristol Bay, Southeast Alaska or any other region contending with low salmon prices. "Clearly, however, these legal criteria and federal funding constraints fail to address the harsh reality that salmon fishermen are in trouble no matter where they reside," Knowles said. "I assure you that my Administration will extend to the salmon fishing families of Southeast Alaska, and across the state, all of the assistance we are providing to Western Alaska and Bristol Bay." Knowles also renewed his appeal to Congress and the White House to assist the Alaska salmon industry through short-term relief for an industry in crisis and to make fundamental long-term changes to strengthen federal support for commercial fishing families and communities. Knowles has proposed a federal program to assist fishermen, modeled after supports provided to the nation's agriculture industry in times of drought, flood, and foreign competition. "It is vitally important that we continue our work to bring about a transition from temporary, year-to-year solutions to major structural reform of federal programs, and the Alaska salmon industry itself, to promote economic diversification and the long-term viability of the fishing industry," Knowles said. "We are also working with Congress to amend the current Trade Adjustment Assistance law to include fishermen in the programs that benefit so many other hard working Americans." According to information provided by the Office of the Governor, the Knowles-Ulmer Administration is continuing to advocate in Washington, D.C., for specific measures to help Alaska's salmon fishermen, including organic labeling for Alaska seafood, labeling that distinguishes foreign, pen-reared farmed salmon from Alaska's wild and natural salmon. The Administration weighed in on trade negotiations with Chile, a major exporter of farmed salmon, and has voiced strong concern over continuing Chilean practices that adversely affect Alaska fishermen, such as possible "dumping" of farmed salmon on the U.S. domestic market. In addition, the Knowles-Ulmer Administration is seeking federal funds for help to market Alaska salmon, re-structure the salmon industry to eliminate overcapitalization, and continue federal purchases of canned salmon that have totaled over $71 million in the past seven years. "I
am convinced that commercial harvest of Alaska's wild salmon
resource has a very bright future; however, our fishermen today
face the toughest challenge in generations," Knowles said.
"That is why we must focus now on assisting our fishing
families and strengthening the Alaska salmon industry."
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