Providing loan guarantees for California salmon fishermen, Governor Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in the ten California counties impacted by the federal government's severe restrictions on salmon fishing along the coasts of California and Oregon. The California counties under the state of emergency include Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties.
"Salmon fishing is the economic lifeblood of many Northern California communities. By proclaiming a state of emergency, we are helping the fishermen and communities recover from the hardship and economic loss caused by the severely restricted salmon season," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The restricted season will have significant impact on California's commercial ocean salmon and in-river salmon fisheries and threaten the livelihood of nearby communities."
Under the Governor's order, the Department of Finance will appropriate and maintain $778,000 as a guarantee in the Small Business Expansion Fund, leveraging up to $9.2 million in loans to prevent business insolvencies and the loss of employment. The Governor also directed his administration to report on the progress of California's request for federal assistance to the impacted fishermen.
In an April 5 letter (Link to letter) to U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Governor Schwarzenegger requested federal assistance should salmon season be closed or restricted. By requesting an official determination of commercial fishery failure, an analysis of the financial impact and expedited funding, the Governor's letter laid the groundwork for economic assistance for the businesses and communities impacted.
On April 28th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service's (NOAA Fisheries) adopted an emergency rule recommended by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) to restrict salmon fishing. On April 6th, the PFMC voted to recommend restrictions on salmon fishing opportunities for commercial and recreational anglers along the coasts of California and Oregon.
The federal government's conservation effort was predicated by concerns that Klamath Basin Chinook Salmon that commingle with other runs of salmon in ocean waters off of California and Oregon have been declining in abundance, due to poor ocean conditions, drought, water management issues, disease and the elimination of access to historical spawning habitat.
Also in April, Governor Schwarzenegger and Governor Kulongoksi of Oregon sent joint letters (Link to letter) to several members of Congress in support of efforts made to address the emergency situation posed by the potential restriction of salmon season.
In October 2004, Governors Schwarzenegger and Kulongoski signed the Klamath River Watershed Coordination Agreement along with the responsible federal agencies to address the impacts to the fisheries in the region and to develop a long-term management approach, common vision and integrated planning associated with the Klamath Basin.
Click here for more information on the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program.
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