Borough to accept federal fishery disaster relief funds aimed at fisheries economic development
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Summary
The assembly reviewed ordinances to accept two federal fishery disaster relief distributions ($156,150.40 and $41,557.81) and discussed directing those funds to a fisheries economic development account to support UAF/Sea Grant training and crew safety courses.
Manager Amy told the assembly the borough will accept two federal fishery disaster relief distributions and that the prior assembly recommended the distributions be placed in a fisheries economic development fund rather than general revenues.
She identified amounts of $156,150.40 from the 2020 Alaska Pacific cod federal fishery disaster distribution and $41,557.81 from the 2021 distribution. The assembly discussed using the account to fund training and scholarships — noting the Alaska Marine Education Association and University of Alaska Fairbanks work on marine safety training for harvesters — rather than allowing the dollars to be absorbed into the general fund for unrelated operating expenses.
Assemblymembers who have tracked fisheries issues said targeted uses for safety, crew training and retraining made the most sense. The ordinances to accept and appropriate the funds will be brought for action at a future regular meeting.