Help for Pacific fishermen moves ahead 

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff

March 27, 2007

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday approved $60.4 million in funding for salmon fishermen, tribes and businesses in California and Oregon impacted by last year's fishery failure on the Klamath River .

The funding, which is part of the federal emergency supplemental package and is also contained in legislation passed by the House of Representatives Friday, must still pass the full Senate and be signed by President George W. Bush.

The companion bills were introduced in the first two days of the new legislative session, which began in January, by California Sen. Barbara Boxer and North Coast Rep. Mike Thompson.

Thompson has estimated that the commercial fishing season was cut by more than 90 percent in 2006, costing fishing families and associated fishing businesses more than $60 million.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said his administration will continue to work with federal representatives and the executive branch for the ultimate approval of the funding.

"The restricted salmon fishing season along the West Coast has created a substantial economic hardship to our communities along the coast," Schwarzenegger said.

"I am pleased that our efforts, including those by Senators Feinstein and Boxer, Congressman Mike Thompson and the entire delegations from California and Oregon , have resulted in a critical step toward final approval of $60.4 million in long overdue relief for the salmon fishermen and the businesses that depend on a plentiful fishing season," Schwarzenegger said.

In July, the federal government declared a commercial fishery failure along the West Coast. That declaration made fishermen and businesses eligible for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans, however, many in the industry were wary about borrowing money with the future of the industry in question.

The NOAA said the restricted season was necessary due to low numbers of naturally spawning Klamath River fall Chinook salmon. Some say the low population culminated from major fish kills in the river in 2002 due to poor federal managment allowing for too much irrigation and leading to drought conditions.

In December, the House and Senate passed a bill setting a six-month deadline for a finalized comprehensive recovery plan for salmon on the Klamath River . The provision was included in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at the request of Thompson and Boxer. It is the first time Congress has ever required the implementation of a recovery plan.

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Source:  http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_5530847