Oregon Public Broadcasting

The prospects for ocean salmon fishing this year are somewhat brighter. But commercial salmon fishermen from Oregon and California say the limited improvements leave them still in need of disaster relief.  Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

Last year, the West Coast saw the most restricted salmon fishing season ever.  The feds declared a fishery disaster.  Congress set aside $170 million in disaster relief. 

Surprisingly, $50 million of that went unclaimed and can be rolled over to this year.

Eureka, California salmon troller Dave Bitts says the leftover relief is needed to tide over Oregon and California’s commercial fleet.

Dave Bitts: “Literally, it’s been critical in keeping people afloat.  Most of us are getting along.  We’ve been working for ourselves on the ocean for twenty, thirty, forty years. That makes us pretty much unemployable elsewhere.”

Bitts agrees fewer fishermen may need disaster aid this year.  That’s because the ocean fishing options awaiting federal approval provide for a modest catch off Washington and northern Oregon. 

Also, charter boats and sport fishers can look forward to better business off Washington and most of Oregon’s coast.

Online:

Pacific Fishery Management Council