State of Alaska Opens Public Comment Period for 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Fishery Disaster Fund Draft Distribution Plan
— ADF&G Press Release

Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526


Press Release: July 21, 2020

CONTACT: Kari Winkel, Office of the Commissioner, Phone: (907) 465-6136

State of Alaska Opens Public Comment Period for 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Fishery Disaster Fund Draft Distribution Plan

On October 30, 2019, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce declared the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod fishery a disaster under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. On February 27, 2020, the Secretary of Commerce allocated $24.4 million to address losses to the Gulf of Alaska management area affected by the fishery failure. The State of Alaska, in consultation with stakeholders and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, has developed a draft distribution plan for these funds.

The draft plan proposes to allocate the funds to help partially restore losses felt by fishery participants impacted by the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod fishery disaster and for research. Research funds will be available by competitive bid for scientific research projects that provide information to help fishery scientists and managers to assess GOA Pacific cod stock conditions and develop conservation and management measures for the GOA Pacific cod fishery in response to warm water and other variable ocean conditions.

ADF&G is soliciting input from the public, affected users, and user groups on all aspects of the draft distribution plan. Written comments must be sent by Friday, August 14, 2020, for consideration in the next iteration of the distribution plan.

Access to the distribution plan and directions for submitting written comment can be found at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishing.2018_gulfcod_disaster_relief_fund