Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon's Congressional delegation is hoping the federal government will go the extra mile to help coastal fishermen again this year. 

The Democrats in the delegation just wrote to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke asking him to release aid money that was left over from last year's canceled salmon fishing season.

This week,  regulators announced most commercial ocean fishing for salmon off Oregon and California will be canceled again this year, because chinook or "king" salmon are so scarce.

Congressman Kurt Schrader spent yesterday in town meetings on the coast.

Kurt Schrader   "Several of the folks say you know, we want to work. We've got boats, we're ready to go. Frankly, the seals and the cormorants are getting more fish than these guys. And that's a sad, sad comment."

This year, several newly-appointed federal officials carry a strong understanding of Northwest fishing.

Commerce Secretary Locke is a former Governor of Washington.

Schrader also says he's sought help from Oregonian Jane Lubchenco, who now heads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A spokesman with NOAA was unable to say whether the request could be processed by the end of the month.