September 20, 2024 — Alaska State Representative Sara Vance, from Homer, sent a letter to Governor Mike Dunleavy earlier this week asking him to declare the 2024 fisheries for salmon, particularly pink salmon, a federal disaster.
“The unprecedented low return of pink salmon has left many fishermen without income, while others are burdened with significant debt from this disastrous season,” Vance wrote. “For those whose livelihoods depend on the salmon harvest, this is an economic crisis with profound and far-reaching impacts.”
Statewide pink salmon harvests have reached 37.8 million fish to date, or 55% of a pre-season forecast of 69 million.