There are significant changes in commercial fishing in Alaska. Ongoing impacts of farmed fish have been disastrous for Alaska fishing dependent communities and for Alaska fishermen and their families. The State of Alaska, working with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, successfully secured $50 million in funding to support the immediate stabilization and modernization of the Alaskan commercial fishing industry. This includes $35 million from the recently appropriated Fisheries Disaster Funds and $15 million earmarked for economic development through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund in 2003.

In an effort to address the immediate needs of those in the salmon fishing industry and spur the productivity and innovation of the Alaska commercial fishing industry, the state announced the Alaska Fisheries Revitalization Strategy in April of 2003. The strategy outlines separate uses of fisheries funds under a multi-year strategic effort.

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development is assisting the Governor's Office in coordinating each program. Please visit the links to the left to learn more about strategy programs.