U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez stated the obvious when he declared this year's salmon fishing season a disaster.

But his declaration was helpful in that it should lead to needed financial relief for the local fishing industry, which has been reeling from sharp cuts in the fishing season.

As a result of the shortened season - due to a dropoff in Chinook salmon in the Klamath River - fishermen off the Oregon and California coasts landed only about 12 percent of their normal catch. As a result, they stand to lose $16 million, according to the Commerce Department.

The formal declaration is one step. But it's a step in the right direction - toward providing up to $80 million in federal aid to those involved in fishing along the Northern California and Oregon coastlines.

But much more work is needed. Final Congressional authorization is still needed. And before that happens, authorities need to set aside funds for the restoration of the Klamath River fish population.

The cause of the decline of Klamath salmon - and what to do about it - remains the center of this bitter dispute. But at least there's no arguing that this year's fishing season was a disaster. And there should be no disputing the next step - providing financial relief for those hit the hardest.