EXXON TO HIKE SPILL PAYMENTS

Exxon Corp. will increase by about $8 million its payments to some Alaska commercial fishermen for 1989 income losses caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The increased payments under Exxon's voluntary claim program will go to Kodiak and Chignik salmon fishermen. Kodiak fishermen will get about $5 million more, and Chignik fishermen will receive about $3 million more. Prior to the 1989 salmon fishing season, Exxon set up a program in which it settled claims by salmon permit holders in the

May 14, 1990

2 min read

Exxon Corp. will increase by about $8 million its payments to some Alaska commercial fishermen for 1989 income losses caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The increased payments under Exxon's voluntary claim program will go to Kodiak and Chignik salmon fishermen.

Kodiak fishermen will get about $5 million more, and Chignik fishermen will receive about $3 million more.

Prior to the 1989 salmon fishing season, Exxon set up a program in which it settled claims by salmon permit holders in the spill areas.

Compensation was based on the difference between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's preseason harvest forecast and the number of fish that were caught in 1989.

Of the more than $200 million Exxon has disbursed under the program, Kodiak permit holders and their crewmen were paid more than $50 million, and those from Chignik paid more than $4 million.

Later, the fish and game agency reported the 1989 salmon runs in Kodiak and Chignik were greater than forecast.

The agency increased its Kodiak forecast to 19.7 million fish from 14.2 million and Chignik's to 2.3 million fish from 1.8 million.

Exxon agreed to use the higher postseason volumes in its compensation program in place of the preseason figures.