http://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/1110//05-02-2008/20080502042003_24.htmlGRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - Federal authorities have declared the West Coast ocean salmon fishery a failure, opening the way for Congress to appropriate economic disaster assistance for coastal communities in California, Oregon and Washington.
The declaration Thursday stems from the sudden collapse of the chinook salmon run in California's Sacramento River, where the salmon return to spawn. Scientists are studying the causes of the collapse, with possible factors ranging from ocean conditions and habitat destruction to dam operations and agricultural pollution.
Only 60,000 chinook are expected to return to the river this fall, about a third of the minimum set by fisheries managers for spawning the next generation. That compares with 775,000 that returned in 2002 when times were flush.
"This is a bleak year," Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, said at a news conference Thursday in Portland, Ore.
The fisheries service, the federal agency in charge of salmon management, estimated that the value of this year's lost catch was $22 million and that direct income losses to sport and commercial fishing boats, processors, bait shops and other related businesses were $60 million in the three states.
The states' governors, who requested the declaration, have estimated that those losses rise to $290 million as they ripple through the economy. California is seeking $208 million in disaster aid, Oregon $45 million and Washington $36 million.
more...
LOOK AT THOSE LOSSES OMG!!!
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
