More fishermen expected to apply for federal aide

PALMER — The Farm Service Agency paid $3.6 million to Alaska’s commercial salmon fishermen last year as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

Chad Padgett, state executive director of the Alaska Farm Service Agency, announced Tuesday that sign-up for the 2003 marketing year will begin on Oct. 15 and end on Jan. 13, 2005.

“There is potential to significantly increase the amount paid to Alaska’s Commercial Salmon Fishermen in this program year,” Padgett said.

Although the Alaska Farm Service Agency received more than 4,000 program applicants last year, there was the potential to receive almost 24,000 applications from commercial salmon permit-holders and crew members, according to a press release issued Oct. 12.

Out of the 4,000 applicants last year, about 1,700 were approved for an average cash payment of $1,200, Padgett said in a phone interview Thursday. Slightly more than 100 applicants received the maximum payment of $10,000.

Payments are calculated based on a formula developed by the Foreign Agriculture Service, the FSA’s sister agency.

Last year was the first year the FSA made payments to Alaska’s commercial fisherman and the agency anticipates an increase in the number of applicants this year. More people know about the program now, Padgett said, and after payments went out last year, word of mouth spread quickly, generating interest in the program.

But Padgett also added that cash benefits may not be the only thing available to applicants.

“There may be other benefits that outweigh any cash payments,” Padgett said. “In fact, some applicants may have zero cash payment but might qualify for other things, such as technical assistance, job training and educational benefits.”

Payments for the 2002 marketing year began going out in June 2004. Padgett said the agency will try to start sending out payments earlier this year.

The Farm Service Agency has been working to increase program participation. The agency is trying to make the program more accessible to commercial fishermen. During the Trade Adjustment Assistance 2003 marketing year sign-up, agency staff will travel to rural communities across Alaska to bring program materials directly to applicants.

There is $90 million in the program nationwide and Alaska paid out over $3.5 million last year, the largest payout for any single state, Padgett said.

Anyone who holds a commercial fishing permit or commercial fishing crew license in Alaska is eligible to apply, even if they live in another state. Eligible fishermen can apply at any FSA office nationwide.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.