The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
says it is processing the aid applications and this week put the
first checks in the mail.Congress
authorized the aid after the federal government this year for
the first time banned all sport and commercial salmon fishing
off California. The Commerce Department severely restricted
fishing off Oregon and Washington.
Officials said the ban was needed to protect a
record low return of salmon expected this fall on the Sacramento
River.
Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific
Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, said perhaps a
third to half of salmon fishermen have yet to apply for the
federal aid.
For salmon fishermen, "it's been tough,"
Grader said. This summer, many tried other fisheries, including
albacore, rock fish and slime eels.
Last year, 599 commercial vessels caught
salmon off California. Of those, 95 landed half of the catch.
-- Staff and wire reports
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