The Alaska Fisherman’s Fund was established in 1951, and is overseen by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The fund provides for the payment of treatment and care of licensed commercial fishermen who have suffered injuries during on shore or off shore fishing in Alaska.
Eligibility for benefits under the Fund
Following are the eligibility criteria to claim benefits from the Fisherman’s Fund:
- The injury or illness needs to occur in Alaskan waters.
- The injury or illness must be directly connected to operations as a commercial fisherman.
- The fisherman must hold a valid commercial fishing license or a limited entry permit prior to the date of the injury or illness.
- The initial treatment must have been sought within 120 days after the onset of the injury or illness.
- The fisherman must file a claim or ensure its filing within one year after the initial treatment.
- Each treatment that has been administered must be documented and submitted.
Filing for benefits under the Fund
The first step after the onset of the injury or illness is to seek medical treatment. The initial treatment must occur within 120 days.
The fisherman and the initial treating physician must then submit their reports (Form #07-6125 and Form #07-6125, respectively).
The applicant will also need the vessel owner’s Protection and Indemnity insurance policy information and will have to submit the Vessel/Site Insurance report (Form #07-6119).
Obtaining benefits from the Fund
The Alaska Fisherman’s Fund is a last resort fund that is financed by the license and permit fees collected from resident and non-resident commercial fisherman.
Therefore, benefits are awarded only after considering all other benefits that an affected fisherman may have received from private or vessel insurance and/or public programs such as Medicare or Veterans’ Affairs. Medicaid benefits, though, is an exception.
Remember these about the Fund
A fisherman will not be covered under the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund if an injury or illness is due to a processing activity related to commercial fishing. Also, if the person is ill or injured due to working in a processing activity related to freezing, it will not be covered.
If a fisherman is injured or falls ill while working on a tender vessel, it will be covered the Fisherman’s fund, unless the incident is connected directly to a processing activity.