The Klamath River's returning King Salmon
numbers regulate much of Northern California and Oregon's coastlines, therefore
all fishing. This year is the second year that Klamath Salmon numbers hit record
lows and most likely all of Northern California's and Oregon commercial fishing
will shut down devastating the states economies.
CA fishermen protest Klamath caused
shut-down as Oregon seeks relief
Last night several hundred commercial, tribal and sports
fishermen, concerned by a proposed salmon fishing shut down due to low runs on
the Klamath River, convened on the meeting of the of the Pacific Fisheries
Management Council in Santa Rosa. Fishermen demanded for the government to”
Fix the Klamath". This comes on the heels of a major court decision that
the government’s plan for Coho Salmon on the Klamath, which came the year
over 68,000 salmon died on the Klamath, was illegal
The plight of the Klamath Salmon and the commercial and tribal fishermen that
depend on them got national attention when over 68,000 adult salmon died in the
Klamath in 2002. The cause of this die -off was low, polluted water due to water
diversions and dams upstream. Scientist predicted this event, yet the Bush
administration decided to ignore the scientist and fishing communities in the
Klamath. Fish kills have occurred every year since.
As this rally occurred in Santa Rosa, in Oregon the governor stated he would
request millions in disaster relief for Oregon's fishermen whom are also most
likely to be shut-down this year due to the record low Klamath runs, and that
something must be done in the Klamath.
Fishermen, Native Americans, and environmentalists are asking Pacific Power of
Portland, OR to take out the four major dams on the Klamath as a way to improve
the water quality and open of hundreds of miles of now closed salmon habitat.
The Klamath River is home to the three largest tribes in California, all of
which are dependant on the salmon culturally and for food. Tribal fishing could
also be affected by this decision. The Yurok Tribe recently announced a
voluntary partial closure.