Fishery Disaster Programs

May 012026
 

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:

2021-23 Bristol Bay Red King and Bering Sea Snow Crab Disaster

May 012026
 

Captains and Crew Members

 

Captains and crew who qualified, worked on eligible vessels during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 BBR/BSS fisheries, and applied by the 12/31/2025 deadline will have their relief checks mailed on Friday, May 1st, 2026.

 

Please wait until Thursday, May 28th before contacting us about your check. This allows time for delivery or for undeliverable mail to be returned. Please note, PSMFC will not respond to inquiries before this date to allow sufficient time for delivery. After May 28th, you can email AKFishDisaster@psmfc.org with questions.

Vessel Owners

 

Vessel owners were paid 75% of their relief funds in July 2025. The remaining 25% was held back to ensure cooperation during the captain and crew application process, including providing required crew information. The final 25% payments will be mailed on Friday, May 1st, 2026.

 

As with captains and crew, please wait until Thursday, May 28th before contacting us about your check. This allows time for delivery or for undeliverable mail to be returned. PSMFC will not respond to inquiries before this date. After May 28th, email AKFishDisaster@psmfc.org for assistance.

 

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 electronically through our Formsite application portal 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 electronically through our Formsite application portalby 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