Living in rural Alaska is a struggle. Families who live in St. Paul struggle, as do those who live in Nelson Lagoon, Kipnuk, Emmonak, Togiak, Grayling, and Gamble along with all other rural Alaskan families. The western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups work on behalf of these families; parents, grandparents and children, to develop economic opportunities and sustainable communities.
A report recently commissioned by the Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) attempts to frame the allocation of CDQ fishing quotas, which are used to generate proceeds, into a population-based and income per capita argument. The allocation changes that CVRF is advocating for in their report would severely impact smaller villages. CDQ participation isn’t based on village population and per capita income, CDQ eligibility is determined by four requirements: the village is located within 50 nautical miles of the Bering Coast; village residents conduct half
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In fact, all six CDQ groups unanimously voted to adopt these amendments in 2006, including fixing the allocations received over the ten-year period. After fixing the CDQ allocations, the six groups experienced steady growth due to the ability to establish and execute ten-year plans.
Rural Alaska has seen the benefits seafood resources have had in the 65 CDQ communities. In the past 25 years, the CDQ groups have generated over $1 billion in assets, built needed infrastructure to stimulate commerce and provided thousands of educational scholarships and workforce development opportunities. No one organization can solve all the problems these communities face, but the CDQ groups are diligently working to fulfill their