Fishery Disaster Programs

Feb 062026
 

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is working collaboratively with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to distribute funds appropriated by Congress for various fishery disasters.  NMFS has requested the Commission administer the fishery disaster programs.

For questions, please contact the respective state’s disaster team:

Due to high call volumes, return calls may be delayed. For faster responses, please email.

If leaving a voicemail you MUST:

  1. Provide your first and last name (and business name if applicable)
  2. INDICATE WHICH DISASTER YOU ARE INQUIRING ABOUT; FAILURE TO DO SO MAY LEAD TO DELAYS IN RESPONSES
  3. Provide a brief message
  4. Provide a good call back number you can be reached at. 

For additional information:

2021 Norton Sound and Kuskokwim River Salmon Relief

Feb 062026
 

Federal fishery disaster relief applications for the 2021 Norton Sound and Kuskokwim River salmon disasters will open at 12:00 PM AKST on Monday, February 9, 2026.

Applications will be available for the following groups:

  • Crew Members affected by the 2021 Norton Sound and Kuskokwim River Salmon disaster
  • Subsistence Households affected by the 2021 Kuskokwim River Salmon disaster
    • Prior participation in relief programs administered by PSMFC have no bearing on current or future applications.
    • Those seeking subsistence household relief funds from the 2021 Kuskokwim River Salmon disaster MUST apply in order to receive relief funds.

All applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM AKDT on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Application notices containing unique IDs required to apply were mailed in November 2025 to qualifying S04Z and S04W Permit Holders. Applications for S04Z and S04W permit holders must be submitted by 5:00 PM AKST on Monday, February 16, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

For program details, eligibility information, and links to the application portals, please visit:
https://relief.psmfc.org/2021-norton-sound-and-kuskokwim-river-salmon/

Additional information, including the final spend plan and general fishery disaster resources, is available on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website at:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hottopics.fisherydisasters

2020-21 Statewide Salmon Subsistence Relief

Jan 162026
 

Subsistence household relief checks for the 2020–21 Statewide Salmon program were mailed on Friday, January 16th.

 

To allow time for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver checks, or to return any that cannot be delivered, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission will not respond to inquiries such as “Where is my relief check?” or “Will I receive a relief check?” until after Monday, February 9th.

 

All applications submitted by the September 24, 2024 deadline have either been processed for payment or, if issues were identified, the applicant was previously contacted and given an opportunity to amend errors or missing information. Late applications are not being accepted for this program.

 

Please wait until at least Monday, February 9th before contacting AKFishDisaster@psmfc.org with questions regarding your payment.