October 26, 2026 — Diesel prices climbed so high this summer that some Southeast Alaska fishermen shifted toward less fuel-intensive fishing, but now, an $8 billion federal relief program could help offset those costs, although crews still don’t know when they can apply or how much they might receive.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program on Monday (Oct. 19), promising one-time payments to producers facing higher operating costs and market disruptions. Sen. Dan Sullivan announced Tuesday that Alaska’s commercial fishermen would be eligible to participate.
Juneau has a sizable stake in the program. United Fishermen of Alaska’s latest community profile, using 2023 data, lists 482 fishing vessels homeported in the city and borough, including 275 that were locally owned. Seafood delivered to Juneau that year carried an estimated dockside value of $27 million.