Post by Okwes on Jun 21, 2006 20:21:55 GMT -5
Klamath fishermen get `state of emergency' aid By Paul Boerger
Published: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 5:32 PM CDT
www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2006/06/14/news/area_news/06fisheme\
rgency.txt
With the salmon fishing season cut by 90 percent along 700 miles of
Oregon and California coast line, California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski have declared a state
of emergency that will allow loans to beleaguered fishermen.
The federal government placed the restrictions on the catch to protect
dwindling numbers of Chinook salmon traveling up the Klamath River to
spawn.
State Senator Sam Aanestad, whose district includes Siskiyou and Del
Norte counties, praised the Governor's action, but Glenn Spain of the
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations says the gesture
won't solve the problem.
"He is responding to the concerns from this office and other elected
leaders who represent the Northern California area and has taken the
appropriate action to save jobs, businesses and prevent hardship for
struggling families," Aanestad said. "If we do not protect and
nurture this critical resources industry, then we risk losing it
forever. But we also must remember our priorities of protecting the
public and never lose sight of the fact that people and families should
come first."
Aanestad says the emergency declaration from Governor Schwarzenegger
will allow the California Department of Finance to offer nearly $10
million in guaranteed loans to the commercial fishing industry.
Businesses that show proof of hardship from the federal restrictions can
receive loans to help prevent bankruptcy, and keep people employed.
Spain said although the loans are a "good symbolic beginning,"
more aid and action on the Klamath River is required for a long term
solution.
"People can't pay their boat loans and mortgages. Loans are
meaningless to people with no jobs," Spain said. "We're hoping
this triggers federal aid that could provide direct assistance and real
dollar aid to our communities."
Spain said the economic hardship includes not only fishermen, but
related industries such as processing that depend on fishing for their
income.
"There are 6,000 to 7,000 families at risk along the 700 miles of
coastline," Spain said. "Some of the Native American tribes rely
on subsistence fishing. They depend on fishing for their food."
The issue of what is causing the decline has been a point of contention
between farmers in the Klamath Project, fishermen and Native American
groups for years.
In making the recommendation to restrict the fishing season, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service
have called for removing four Pacificorp power dams along the Klamath
River they claim is adding significantly to deteriorating water quality.
Spain agrees that the dams must go.
"The collapse of the salmon stocks is because of too little water,
too many dams and the parasites behind the dams," Spain said.
The Klamath River has seen water cut off to farmers to save fish in
2001. Thousands of fish died in 2002 when water was restored to the
farms.
Published: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 5:32 PM CDT
www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2006/06/14/news/area_news/06fisheme\
rgency.txt
With the salmon fishing season cut by 90 percent along 700 miles of
Oregon and California coast line, California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski have declared a state
of emergency that will allow loans to beleaguered fishermen.
The federal government placed the restrictions on the catch to protect
dwindling numbers of Chinook salmon traveling up the Klamath River to
spawn.
State Senator Sam Aanestad, whose district includes Siskiyou and Del
Norte counties, praised the Governor's action, but Glenn Spain of the
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations says the gesture
won't solve the problem.
"He is responding to the concerns from this office and other elected
leaders who represent the Northern California area and has taken the
appropriate action to save jobs, businesses and prevent hardship for
struggling families," Aanestad said. "If we do not protect and
nurture this critical resources industry, then we risk losing it
forever. But we also must remember our priorities of protecting the
public and never lose sight of the fact that people and families should
come first."
Aanestad says the emergency declaration from Governor Schwarzenegger
will allow the California Department of Finance to offer nearly $10
million in guaranteed loans to the commercial fishing industry.
Businesses that show proof of hardship from the federal restrictions can
receive loans to help prevent bankruptcy, and keep people employed.
Spain said although the loans are a "good symbolic beginning,"
more aid and action on the Klamath River is required for a long term
solution.
"People can't pay their boat loans and mortgages. Loans are
meaningless to people with no jobs," Spain said. "We're hoping
this triggers federal aid that could provide direct assistance and real
dollar aid to our communities."
Spain said the economic hardship includes not only fishermen, but
related industries such as processing that depend on fishing for their
income.
"There are 6,000 to 7,000 families at risk along the 700 miles of
coastline," Spain said. "Some of the Native American tribes rely
on subsistence fishing. They depend on fishing for their food."
The issue of what is causing the decline has been a point of contention
between farmers in the Klamath Project, fishermen and Native American
groups for years.
In making the recommendation to restrict the fishing season, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service
have called for removing four Pacificorp power dams along the Klamath
River they claim is adding significantly to deteriorating water quality.
Spain agrees that the dams must go.
"The collapse of the salmon stocks is because of too little water,
too many dams and the parasites behind the dams," Spain said.
The Klamath River has seen water cut off to farmers to save fish in
2001. Thousands of fish died in 2002 when water was restored to the
farms.