U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced the federal authorities have extended the 2008 West Coast salmon disaster declaration. In other words millions of dollars will be available to struggling fishermen. The government has taken this decision that follows the determination that poor salmon returns from the Sacramento River will continue this year.
It is said that federal fisheries managers have already virtually stopped all commercial salmon harvests off the California and Oregon coasts. The National Marine Fisheries Service, state governments and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission have planned to work together to distribute $53 million in aid remaining from last year’s $170 million Congressional appropriation.
It is told that money was allotted to help fishing communities affected by the poor returns. A press release from NOAA revealed that as per the economic impact, of the remaining $53 million, Locke has allocated approximately $46.4 million to California. U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo in a statement said that he was highly pleased and grateful that Secretary Locke has taken the appropriate course of action in distributing emergency funds to the communities affected by the salmon fishing ban.
