Oregon Public Broadcasting

Canada and Alaska have offered to reduce their catch of salmon migrating home to Oregon and Washington rivers.

But a proposed new salmon treaty hinges on Congressional approval of a multi-million dollar buyout for Alaska and Vancouver Island fishermen.  Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

The Pacific Salmon Treaty exists to prevent overfishing along the West Coast.  It divides the allowable catch among the fishing fleets of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Canada.

Negotiator Jeff Koenings says the proposed terms for treaty renewal achieve Washington and Oregon’s primary goal.

Jeff Koenings: “...getting fish that would have normally been caught in the fisheries of southeast Alaska and Canada, to get those fish flowing south so that we can put the wild component of those fish on the spawning grounds.”

The Washington Fish & Wildlife Department director says about a million fewer King Salmon will be harvested to our north beginning next year.  In exchange for that concession, the agreement requires the U.S. to pay Canada and Alaska a combined $37 million to lessen the pain to their fishermen.

Congress must budget the compensation money for the new treaty to take effect.

Online:

Pacific Salmon Commission