Gauging the cost of fishing closure

April 26, 2008

By Michelle Ma

Triplicate staff writer

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is asking businesses throughout California to fill out a form if they expect economic losses due to the 2008 commercial salmon season closure.

The state will use survey results to try to gain economic aid for businesses if U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez does not declare a federal fisheries failure. Such a declaration would give Congress authority to distribute disaster funds to West Coast fishermen and related businesses.

California , Oregon and Washington governors have already called on the secretary to declare a disaster, as have members of Congress.

But in case a federal declaration doesn't happen, completed surveys will help California gauge whether significant losses will be felt in other sectors of business, aside from just the fishing industry.

Businesses have until June 30 to submit these forms to the state. Fishermen, charter boats and businesses that depend heavily on fishing tourism can fill out forms, said Greg Renick, spokesman for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

"We want to be on top of the situation and reach out to the counties," Renick said.

Submitted forms will not serve as specific requests for aid, but if enough significant economic loss is felt statewide, the Office of Emergency Services director can request disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"If somebody feels they're going to be impacted by this, they should fill it out and send it in, said Allen Winogradov, Del Norte County emergency services coordinator. For example, a local supermarket or restaurant that must pay more to get salmon from other regions could be affected by the season closure, he said.

Local restaurants, lodging facilities and fishermen—and any other type of business that can prove losses from this closure—are encouraged to submit a survey, Winogradov said.

Get the economic injury worksheet here.

Survey forms can be accessed at www.triplicate.com. Completed surveys can be faxed directly to the state: Governor's Office of Emergency Services, individual assistance section; 916-845-8395. Local residents can also bring completed forms to Del Norte County's Office of Emergency Services at 981 H St., Suite 240 to be faxed to the state.

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Source:  http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=8492