Millions of $ secured for data collections, training, surveys, assessments from kelp to crab and more
By Ryan Doyle, Seafoodnews.com
July 14, 2023
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she was able to score wins for the state in three FY24 Appropriations Bills, which were approved by the Appropriations Committee this week.
Murkowski said the bills net ‘wins’ for the state’s public safety, fisheries and oceans research, and victim services.
With the bills now heading to the Senate floor for full consideration, Murkowski said she could secure $63.93 million in investments for public safety, fisheries research, victim support services, entrepreneurship and small business owners, healthcare innovation, and Alaska’s historical and arts communities.
From the fisheries and oceans research standpoint, Murkowski said $205 million was secured for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys, and Assessments, $44 million for Regional Fishery Management Councils and Fisheries Commissions, and $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery fund.
Murkowski’s office also shared the following CDS requests that aim to improve the state’s integral fisheries:
– Statewide: $4 million to the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation to conduct research on Bristol Bay red king crab enhancement, including optimum rearing conditions, habitat, growth, and survival through rearing stages and post release.
– Statewide: $2.01 million for the Marine Exchange of Alaska to create a user guide to keep ships safely sailing in the Arctic.
– Statewide: $1.2 million for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to fund coastal marine surveys that support sustainable salmon management in the northern Bering Sea, southern Bering Sea, and western Gulf of Alaska.
– Statewide: $2.5 million to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to better equip Alaska Department of Fish and Game research vessels with necessary technology and upgrades.
– Statewide: $520,000 for the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association to train Fisheries Technicians to further develop their capabilities in salmon research, project implementation and administration.
– North Slope Borough: $1.5 million to support the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management in estimating the abundance of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort stock of bowhead whales.
– Statewide: $2.8 million for the University of Alaska System to research the impacts of environmental stressors on freshwater and marine aquatic life in Alaska.
– Anchorage: $106,000 for the University of Alaska System to research alternative methods of energy consumption reduction in kelp and seaweed drying processes.
– Annette Islands Reserve: $403,000 for the Metlakatla Indian Community for fish hatchery improvements.
– Statewide: $4 million for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to research freshwater and marine juvenile salmon habitat.
– Annette Islands Reserve: $1 million for the Metlakatla Indian Community to monitor, survey, and trap European green crab in Southeast Alaska.
– North Slope Borough: $1.5 million for the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management To support the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management in estimating the abundance of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort stock of bowhead whales.
