News From House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

Monday, April 24, 2006

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Pelosi: Save the Klamath Salmon Fishery

San Francisco - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement at a rally to save the Klamath salmon fishery, held at Fisherman's Wharf. On April 7, the Pacific Fishery Management Council set severe limits on salmon fishing in the region due to low numbers of Klamath River fall Chinook salmon.

"Thank you all for coming to San Francisco today to rally for the survival of the Klamath salmon fishery.

"Thank you to Congressman Mike Thompson for organizing this rally, and for your fierce, tireless leadership on behalf of commercial, recreational, and tribal fishermen and women, and fishing-related businesses. Mike Thompson is your champion in Congress, and whatever the odds, he never stops fighting for you.

"Those who fish our waters follow an ancient and timeless way of life. >From the dawn of humanity, from the days that Native Americans first settled these shores, and from the earliest days of European settlement of the Pacific coast, our forbears have followed the salmon and fed the people. Even today, while San Francisco 's Fisherman's Wharf flourishes primarily on the tourism, those who fish remain the heart and soul of the Wharf. How can there be a Fisherman's Wharf without fishermen?

"The Klamath salmon runs have suffered for many reasons. The dams on the Klamath River must come down. Adequate water flows must be maintained, and polluted runoff must be reduced. Bycatch of Klamath salmon in other fisheries must be reduced. More research must be conducted, but we know many of the answers to the problem.

"The causes of your plight are manifold, but we know that the cynical politics of the Bush Administration played a key role in today's fishing disaster. Karl Rove saw a political advantage for the Republicans in the drought of 2002, and he sent two cabinet secretaries to open the irrigation gates for Klamath farmers, resulting in the massive fish kill in the late summer of 2002.

"Saturday was Earth Day, a day for us all to remember our interdependence with the natural systems of the planet Earth. The oceans are under siege - all around the world, fish populations are dropping sharply. We must bring back the fish, river by river, and region by region.

"Here in California and Oregon , we must all work together-fishermen, tribes, scientists, farmers, and political leaders at the local, state, and federal level. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of Congressman Thompson's new legislation, which will provide disaster assistance and ensure funding for the recovery and restoration of the Klamath salmon.

"Today I pledge to you that I will fight along with Congressman Thompson, many of our colleagues in Congress, and all of you to save your livelihoods and the Klamath salmon. We must save the Klamath salmon"