The Eureka Reporter is hopeful that local commercial salmon fisherman Dave Bitts will be appointed to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council because he will bring a fair-minded, realistic and balanced approach to the council from a fisher’s perspective.

Bitts certainly comes qualified and has spent more than three decades fishing in the area, has been a board member and officer of the Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association for 20 years and participated in the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association for almost as long.

The council plays a pivotal role in determining the length of fishing seasons. Many fishers’ businesses are at stake and can be put out of business because of PFMC-imposed rules.

As one of eight such councils established in the United States by the 1976 Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the council exists to manage the country’s fisheries from three to 200 miles offshore.

The council is responsible for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.

We support the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in its backing of Bitts, as it sends a letter to the state stating its reasons for recommending that Bitts be appointed.

Bitts, if appointed, will also bring his technical expertise to the council.

As the council attempts to implement policies to restore salmon runs on the Klamath River, Bitts’ expertise will be invaluable as he brings a local voice from this region to the federal council.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will soon submit three nominees for consideration to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

In order for Bitts to take part in the council, he will miss some of the salmon season — which means a loss of income — and crab season preparation time. It’s too bad that the council cannot compensate a fisher because it surely needs the input of commercial fishermen — the more the better.

We hope the governor appoints Bitts at a time when the North Coast is at a critical juncture in terms of a healthy salmon fishery.