Oregon Coastal Fisherman Scott Boley's Response to Oregonian Article "Fed's Declare Fishery Disaster

 

Hello Peter:

 

My name is Scott Boley and we met this summer at the
second Governor's Summit in Newport on the Salmon Fishery Disaster. This
Thursday,  I was present at the announcement in Coos Bay by Deputy
Commerce Secretary David Sampson of the Federal Designation of the West
Coast Salmon Fishery as a fishery failure.  I think it is a very
significant and a clear signal that not only are our NW Senators, 
Congressional Representatives,  Governor, state Senators and
Representatives,  and our local government people determined to preserve
our traditional and historic salmon troll fishery,  but that the Federal
Administration is now also aware of our plight and pledging to help, 
not only with relief,  but with understanding and trying to remedy the
real problems affecting the survival of Salmon in the Klamath River.

To that end,  we met with Dr. Sampson,  Dr. Hogarth of NMFS,  and
Senator Smith after the announcement and talked about solutions to the
Klamath Salmon Problem.  Oregon's industry,  as represented by the
Oregon Salmon Commission,  is trying hard to understand the real factors
affecting salmon survival,  and work cooperatively with other
stakeholders on solutions.  Our agenda is totally focused on
establishing healthy salmon populations on the Klamath,  and traditional
fishing opportunities for ourselves,  tribal fisheries, and sport
fishermen.  We also feel that the Klamath Basin Farmers have been
unfairly singled out for blame,  when in fact there are a host of
factors and problems that need attention,  and truthfully if anyone is
to blame it is all of us,  for not understanding the complexity and
ramifications of past actions in a very complex ecosystem. We need to
build alliances to solve these problems, not divide stakeholders and
start wars.

I think it was appropriate of you to ask a member of the environmental
community about this disaster declaration,  as they have been supportive
of the fishing industry,  and rightly or wrongly critical of some
actions by the administration.  However I was puzzled by why you would
quote Glenn Spain,  who is only allied with California's Industry,  and
not talk to a real Oregon fisherman or a member of the only active
organization that speaks for Oregon's Salmon Industry,  The Oregon
Salmon Commission.  Mr. Spain to my knowledge represents not a single
Oregon Troller,  not one,  and for you to quote him and not someone from
Oregon's Industry is misleading to the public at best.  Oregons Salmon
Fishermen are active,  organized,  and working on solutions,  and it is
not under PCFFA's banner,  or under the banner of Mr. Spains IFR  group.

Some good Conacts for you Peter would be:
    Nancy Fitzpatrick,  the administrator of the Oregon Salmon
Commission  --ph 541-994-2647
    Daurus Peake  --Chairman of the Commission  503-362-3600  (Garibaldi
Processor and Fishing boat owner)
    Jeff Reeves --Co-Chair    541-297-0474   (Charleston Fisherman)
    Kevin Bastian  541-270-0947   (Newport Fisherman and Commission Member)
    myself  541-425-0066  (Gold Beach Processor and a Fisherman)
    Scott Cook  541-404-7075  (a very active fisherman in Charleston)
    Paul Merz   541-290-6445  (another very active Charleston fisherman
with extensive watershed and enhancement contacts)
    Jeff Feldner  54270-3465  (Newport fisherman,  PFMC  SAS
representative,  and former Oregon FWC member)

I know Glenn Spain is in your rolodex,  easy to contact, and has a ready
quote.   He is an attorney by training and good press contacts are part
of how he makes his money.   However if you want a true reflection of
Oregon's Industry and their views,  go  the extra step and talk to some
of the active people in the industry, the real fishermen,  or the
administative person who champions their industry,  Nancy Fitzpatrick.
The quotes may not be quite as ready,  but they will be a true
reflection.  Thank you Peter and feel free to call me.  I  am not really
good with a ready quote,  but I can truthfully tell you what is going on
or who to contact on an issue. 

 

 --Scott Boley

 

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