Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) on Friday lauded U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez's decision to declare a "fishery resource disaster" on the West Coast.
Eshoo added that Gutierrez's move is the first step in the federal government's responsibility to provide disaster assistance to respond to the plight of salmon fishermen in Oregon and California, whose season has been virtually shut down to protect dwindling breeder returns to the Klamath River.
The declaration offers fishermen access to low-interest Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans but falls short of the direct financial aid that would be provided under a "fishery failure disaster."
Eshoo said that "While providing fishermen with access to loans may provide short-term relief, these fishermen have lost their livelihood and are unable to repay loans. More needs to be done to help them."
Guttierez will be dispatching officials to the Klamath River communities next week to collect economic impact data. This data will help determine whether a "fishery failure disaster" can be declared and further assistance -- including direct economic assistance -- can be provided.