One of the world’s largest salmon runs edges closer despite COVID-19 risks.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has put new rules in place for Alaska fishermen and their vessels to protect against and prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the 2020 salmon season, writes Anchorage Daily News.
SalmonBusiness has written previously written about the calls to close this years’ USD 300 million salmon run. Opponents have argued that the health care system in southwestern Alaska may be unsuited for the influx of fisherman and seasonal workers.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy provided 11 pages of mandates to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus.
Some of the rules include that skippers must certify that crew members have been screened upon arrival and that they have completed self-quarantines. Crew members and captains flying to Bristol Bay and other Alaska regions will undergo verbal and physical screenings upon arrival.
“The State of Alaska acknowledges the importance of our commercial fishing fleet to our economy and lifestyle as Alaskans. In order to ensure a safe, productive fishing season this year, while still protecting Alaskan communities to the maximum extent possible from the spread of the virus, the State is establishing standardized protective measures to be followed by all independent commercial fishing vessels operating in Alaskan waters and ports,” wrote Governor Mike Dunleavy in the mandate.
