Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the
following statement in response to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries
Service's (NOAA Fisheries) approval of an
emergency rule to restrict salmon fishing along
the Oregon and California coasts:
"The Klamath River Basin Chinook salmon are a
vital component of our natural resources and
provide significant recreational, commercial and
economic benefits to our state and our people. I
will make sure that we continue to work with
federal agencies, the state of Oregon, Native
American tribes and others to improve the
long-term health of the Klamath River, but we must
take immediate steps now to help communities that
rely on this resource for subsistence and economic
stability.
"It is critical that we understand the full range
of economic impacts of the restricted salmon
season. We must also secure immediate financial
assistance from the federal government for the
coastal communities that are impacted by this
action."
Also today prior to the official announcement by
NOAA Fisheries, Governor Schwarzenegger and
Governor Kulongoksi of Oregon sent joint letters
(Link to letter) to several members of Congress in
support of their efforts to address the emergency
situation posed by the potential restriction of
salmon season.
On April 6, the Pacific Fisheries Management
Council voted to recommend restrictions on salmon
fishing opportunities for commercial and
recreational anglers. The NOAA Fisheries
officially accepted those recommendations today.
In an April 5 letter (Link to letter) to U.S.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Governor
Schwarzenegger requested that an analysis be done
of a commercial fishery failure should the
recommendations be adopted. This request would lay
the groundwork for economic assistance for
California commercial salmon fishermen affected by
the partial closure of this year's salmon fishing
season. The Department of Fish and Game estimates
the economic impact may exceed $60 million.
