History
In 2004, the AK State Legislature enacted House Bill 419, which enabled the formation of Regional Seafood Development Associations (RSDA) in Alaska for the purpose of assessing Regional Seafood Development taxes of area fisheries. The Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association formed as the RSDA for all fisheries within the Prince William Sound region. In May 2005 the CR/PWS MA successfully held an election to assess a 1% regional seafood development tax of the drift gillnet fleet. Nearly 60% of the 541-member drift gillnet fleet voted in the election, which passed with 78% approval. The State of Alaska began collecting the 1% tax from fishermen’s fish tickets on July 6, 2005. The CR/PWS MA is funded by this 1% assessment, along with supplementary grants and membership dues paid by area processors and non-assessed members.