A few, but spirited, members of the Northcoast Environmental Center, along with several commercial and recreational fishermen, turned out Monday at the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka for a pro-salmon rally meant to offer local support for U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s rally earlier in the day in San Francisco.

Thompson, who was unveiling his federal disaster assistance legislation, was scheduled to appear with other members of Congress, along with hundreds of West Coast commercial, recreational and tribal fishermen to bring awareness to the potential economic impact to coastal communities from the federally proposed fishing restrictions that are expected to exceed $100 million.

NEC Executive Director Tim McKay said the fish kill of 2004 has empowered a new generation of fisheries and conservation advocates.

The plight of salmon has garnered national attention off and on in the past few years.

In addition, McKay said the current salmon situation and proposed season restrictions are environmental issues that bring people together from all walks of life.

“Everybody appreciates the salmon fishery,” McKay said. “They want to see it improve.”

Now that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering the relicensing of four Klamath River dams, McKay said it presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to press elected officials.

First District Supervisor Jimmy Smith, a retired commercial fisherman who attended the rally, said the fish deaths in the Klamath and the subsequent need to dramatically cut back or eliminate all of the fishing opportunity shows people in the river’s upper basin that people here are serious about working together to make the situation better.

“I just see that partnership today is stronger than it’s ever been before,” Smith said. “There is absolutely a recognition now of the impacts to peoples lives, to communities and to populations of fish — we can’t withstand this anymore.”