Fishermen's Fund sets public testimony prior to closed claim hearings in Juneau

Jan. 18, 2004
No. 04-35

JUNEAU – The Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council, charged with assisting workers injured or disabled in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, will hold its spring meeting on Monday, February 23 at the Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau.

The council is administered by the Division of Workers’ Compensation in the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The council business session will be open to the public starting at 8:30 a.m. The agenda will include a summary of the fund’s financial condition and a review of policies and regulations.

Thirty minutes of public testimony is to follow from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

The afternoon session and balance of the conference will be closed for review of individual claims not approved by the administrator.

The fund assists fishermen who have incurred emergency medical costs not covered by public or private insurance and related to injury or illness incurred in commercial fishing. Individual worker coverage is limited to $2,500 unless an extension is granted.

The program is funded in part through state revenues from the sale of commercial fishing licenses and permit fees. The council includes commercial fishermen from throughout Alaska.

Workers’ Compensation Division Director Paul Lisankie serves as council chair. Fishermen’s Fund Administrator K. Renee Cox is the program supervisor.

The state complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities needing auxiliary aids, services, and/or special modifications to participate are requested to contact Fund Administrator K. Renee Cox at 907.465.6045.

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News Media Contacts:
K. Renee Cox, Fishermen’s Fund Advisory & Appeals Council, 907.465.6045 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907.465.5673

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