WDFW has scheduled a public meeting to present an overview of the Washington CARES Act Seafood Disaster Relief Spending Plan and to answer questions about the application on February 23 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Zoom link to attend the meeting can be found here.
On February 10, Alaska government officials announced that non-resident seafood workers are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Previously, only Alaska-resident seafood workers were eligible. As it currently stands, seafood workers aged 50 and over qualify to receive the vaccine. A story in the Anchorage Daily News regarding the change in policy can be found here. Alaska officials are scheduled to provide an update on COVID-19 protective measures at the United Fishermen of Alaska Board meeting on February 17 - 18. This is a highly fluid situation, and PSVOA will post additional updates here as significant developments occur.
On February 9, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that applications for Washington residents and seafood businesses that suffered economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic may now submit applications for economic relief to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (“PSMFC”). This includes Washington residents who commercially fish in Alaska and Washington. WDFW’s press release can be found here. As mentioned above, the PSMFC will be administering the program. Here is a link to PSMFC’s website. The application materials on PSMFC’s website can be found here. The application deadline is March 25, 2021. Specific questions about the application and eligibility criteria are best directed to PSMFC. Alaska’s Cares Act Seafood Disaster Relief spending plan is awaiting approval by NOAA Fisheries, which will also be administered by PSMFC.
