”Your declaration of a disaster is the first step needed in pursuing a federal disaster declaration,” the letter states, adding that such a move might ultimately lead to federal relief programs for fishing men and women and the businesses that support them.

The letter points out that fishing fleets are facing “the most severe restrictions in recent history on the ocean salmon fisheries offshore California and Oregon” because of dramatically depleted stocks of salmon on the Klamath River.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski already has requested a federal declaration.

Berg, who chairs the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, said her request was intended to leave “no stone unturned” in response to the salmon shortage.

”There is no guarantee that we can get federal relief for these people,” Berg said. “We know the odds may be long, but you have to try what you can to help the people you serve.”

The letter states, “The situation for the salmon fishery ... in ports such as Fort Bragg and north is a disaster, as it will be for businesses, fishing guides and others on the Klamath River, and for the tribes.”

Republican Assembly members Tom Harman from Huntington Beach and Dave Cogdill of Modesto joined Berg, along with fellow Democrats Joe Canciamilla of Martinez, Lois Wolk of Davis, John Laird of Santa Cruz, Mark Leno of San Francisco, and Sen. Wes Chesbro of Arcata, in signing the letter.