What Is The Fishermans Fund?

Established in 1951, the Fishermen’s Fund provides for the treatment and care of Alaska licensed commercial fishermen who have been injured while fishing on shore or off shore in Alaska. Benefits from the Fund are financed from revenue received from each resident and nonresident commercial fisherman’s license and permit fee.

The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development oversees administration of the program with the assistance of the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.

The Fund is an emergency fund payer of last resort, which means that benefits are awarded only after full consideration of other coverage from private health or vessel insurance, and public programs, including Veterans’ Affairs or Medicare. (Medicaid is an exception.)