What is Alaska’s Fishermen’s Fund?

Commercial fishing in Alaska can be on of the most rewarding and yet high-risk jobs you can get. If fact commercial fishing usually tops the charts as the most dangerous job in the US. Before we get into some of the risks we want to highlight a significant milestone in the industry in the federal fiscal year 10/1/2014-9/30/2015:

“No one in Alaska died commercial fishing in a vessel-related incident in the past year, for the first time.” -Alaska Department of Fish & Wildlife.

This might seem like a dark thing to focus on, but considering the historic death and injury rates for this incredibly high-risk line of work, it is something to celebrate.

As in many states, people working in the commercial fishing industry in Alaska are excluded from the state’s workman’s comp program. Instead, they are covered under general maritime law and the Jones Act. Additionally, in Alaska fishermen are protected by the Fishermen’s Fund.

What is the Alaska Fishermen’s Fund?

Alaska is unique in that it is the only state that provides the additional protection of a program above and beyond maritime law and the Jones Act. It was established in 1951 and it

“provides for the treatment and care of Alaska licensed commercial fishermen who have been injured while fishing on shore or off shore in Alaska.” (State of Alaska DOLWD)

For those that qualify, benefits are paid out from revenues collected from each resident and nonresident commercial fisherman’s license and permit fees. The whole program is administered jointly by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development and the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.

How Would I Qualify for Benefits with the Alaska Fishermen’s Fund?

There are very strict regulations that come with Fishermen’s Fund, and since the injuries sustained while commercial fishing are usually significant, we highly recommend consulting a lawyer experienced in these types of cases. The following is the basic list provided by the state to qualify for benefits:

• Crewmembers with injury or illness directly connected to operations as a commercial fisherman must hold a valid commercial fishing license or limited entry permits before the time of the injury or illness.
• The onset of the injury or illness must be on shore or on/in Alaska waters.
• The initial treatment must be received within 60 days following the injury or illness.
• An application must be submitted withing one year after initial treatment.
• Each treatment must be documented by a medical chart note and must be submitted.