Fisheries council tightens its belt as funding comes ‘in dribs and drabs’
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, a federal board that helps oversee federal fisheries off Alaska’s coast, is scaling back operations due to uncertainty over federal funding.
The council meets five times a year to help set fishing policies, like quotas, regulations and bycatch restrictions. But federal budget cuts under President Donald Trump have whittled down the organization’s resources, forcing them to scale back their activities.
At a meeting earlier this month, the council said it had received less than half of its federal funds. They got another payment last week, but Executive Director David Witherell said they’ve still only received about two-thirds of their annual funding. Typically, the council receives full funding by March.
“This is a highly unusual situation that we’re in,” Witherell said. “We can normally be able to plan our meeting schedule for the year and not have to worry that the Council offices might have to close because we run out of funds to pay staff.”
The funding is disbursed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as part of a four-year grant. This is the first year of that grant cycle — and Witherell said they’re starting from zero, with no rollover from the previous year.
He said the council has been told to expect another installment once Congress finalizes a federal spending plan. But for now, there’s no timeline and no guarantee.
“The funding this year has been coming in dribs and drabs, and it’s making it challenging to reserve meeting spaces and to know that we have the funds to host a meeting,” Witherell said.
The council is dropping to only four meetings next year and will hold its next meeting, in October, online. In a statement, the council said they’re also cutting back on travel and other expenses.
They hope to hold an in-person meeting in December, but even that will depend on whether more funding comes through.
Commercial fisheries rely on council recommendations in order to open. The council warned that its December schedule is overloaded with time-sensitive matters, like chum salmon bycatch.
PDF: Sand Point City Council Meeting: Tues, June 24th, 2025 at 7PM
KSDP will air the meeting live & place an archive of the audio here:
https://apradio.org/mp3/2025-06-24City.mp3
###
Sand Point City Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 at 7PM.
Always check here for the latest Agenda & Packet:
https://www.sandpointak.com/agendas–packets.html
Agenda & Packet:
https://www.sandpointak.com/uploads/2/7/6/7/27677223/june_24_2025_sand_point_city_council_special_meeting_packet-final.pdf
Employment Opportunities with the City of Sand Point
Public Works Director 6.19.25Pull-tab Assistant 4.17.25Mechanic Posted 6.5.25
PDF: Special Meeting of the AEBSD School Board at 9:30AM on Monday, June 16th, 2025
KSDP will air the meeting live & archive the audio here:
https://apradio.org/mp3/2025-06-16-aebsd.mp3
The Aleutians East Borough School District is holding a Special Meeting of the School Board on Monday, June 16th, 2025 at 9:30AM. This meeting is open to the public at the District Office in Sand Point and via Zoom.
Major Cuts to KSDP Funding – Contact Representative Begich
We wanted to make you aware of a serious threat to KSDP and other rural public broadcasting stations across Alaska. President Trump has proposed rescinding forward funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which would directly impact our ability to operate.
At KSDP, over 70% of our funding comes from CPB. This funding isn’t about national news or political commentary—it supports the work we do right here at home: local news, borough meetings, emergency alerts, student programming, and community voices. In our region, where phone and internet services can be unreliable, KSDP is one of the few consistent and trusted sources of information.
We’re asking residents of the Aleutians East Borough to speak up and help us preserve this vital service. Please take a moment to contact Representative Nick Begich and let him know that CPB funding is essential for our community.
Contact Information for Rep. Nick Begich:
Phone: 202-225-5765
Your voice matters. Let them know that public radio in the Aleutians isn’t about politics—it’s about keeping our communities informed, connected, and safe.
Thank you for your support,
KSDP Radio
PDF: Sand Point City Council Meeting: Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at 7PM
KSDP will air the meeting live & place an archive of the audio here:
https://apradio.org/mp3/2025-06-02-citycouncil.mp3
###
Sand Point City Council will hold a meeting on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at 7PM.
Always check here for the latest Agenda & Packet:
https://www.sandpointak.com/agendas–packets.html
Agenda & Packet:
https://www.sandpointak.com/uploads/2/7/6/7/27677223/june_2_2025_sand_point_city_council_packet.pdf
Copper Bay and Heliostar Town Hall: June 3, 2025 – 5:30pm at QTT Rec Center
Listen here to an interview between Austin Roof and Representatives from Copper Bay, Heliostar and Aleut Corporation. https://apradio.org/mp3/2025-06-03-mining.mp3
