E-board approves funds
for fishers
By Joel Gallob of the News-Times
September 22, 2006
An appropriation of $500,000 for salmon
fishermen's relief was approved Thursday morning by the General Government
Subcommittee of the Legislative Emergency Board. If the appropriation is
approved, as expected, by the full Emergency Board today (Friday), the
allocation will bring the total amount in state relief to $1 million, State
Senator Joanne Verger (D-Coos Bay) announced Thursday afternoon. The funds will
go to direct cash assistance to fishermen put out of work by the virtual closure
of this year's commercial salmon season.
Verger is the chair of the state legislature's Coastal Caucus. In addition to
Sen. Verger, the bipartisan caucus includes Sen. Betsy Johnson, Sen. Jeff Kruse,
Rep. Deborah Boone, Rep. Alan Brown, Rep. Wayne Krieger, Rep. Arnie Roblan and
Rep. Brad Witt.
Another appropriation of $500,000 was made - following requests from Governor
Ted Kulongoski and from coastal legislators including Verger - by the
legislature in June to aid out-of-work fishermen. At the time, the governor and
members of the legislature indicated a second appropriation was likely, but was
conditional on sufficient funds being left available to the E-board in
September.
On Thursday Verger said,
"Throughout the summer, we have worked closely with the Governor and our
fellow legislators to provide meaningful relief for coastal fishermen and their
families," said Verger. "We are extremely grateful that the
Legislature will now make additional funds available to the hardworking
fishermen who have endured such severe restrictions this season."
If the subcommittee's recommendation is approved as expected, Verger said
Thursday, $500,000 in legislative emergency funds will be allocated to the
Economic and Community Development Department, with specific funding
determinations to be made by the Department of Agriculture. The funds will
provide direct cash assistance to fishermen affected by the closure of fisheries
on the coast.
Other forms of assistance, such as low-interest federal loans, have also been
made available to displaced commercial salmon fishers. But many fishermen have
said that few can afford new loans, especially when upcoming years' seasons are
uncertain. They have urged state and federal political leaders to find funds for
direct cash aid to help those in greatest need, to cover family, mortgage,
medical and fishing vessel maintenance expenses.
The season was entirely closed or nearly closed in most of California and in
Oregon. In Oregon, below Florence, no commercial salmon fishing was allowed this
year; above that town, only a minimal amount of commercial fishing was permitted
by the federal regulators of the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Small
"bubble fisheries" around the mouths of coastal rivers were kept open
by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, where there was little chance of
catching Klamath River fish.
Joel Gallob is a reporter for the News-Times. He can be reached at 265-8571 ext.
223, or joel.gallob@lee.net.
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