April 2, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — NMFS announced last week that $20 million of federal assistance will be provided to communities affected by fishery disasters in Washington, Oregon, California and Georgia between 2013 and 2017. Congress appropriated these funds through the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Tribal and non-tribal salmon fisheries will receive the most funding after several fisheries declined due to adverse ocean conditions including “The Blob.” California sardines and Georgia white shrimp also are included on the list.
The email notice to congressional staff said NMFS will notify award recipients of their eligibility for funding and provide guidance on the development of award spending plans. The allocated funds can be used to help commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, charter businesses, shore-side infrastructure, and subsistence users, as well as improve the fishing ecosystem and environment.
The fisheries and their respective allocations are:
2013 Fraser River Sockeye tribal salmon (Washington) – Lummi, Nooksack, Tulalip, Suquamish, Makah, Lower Elwha, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam: $1,492,000
2013 Fraser River Sockeye non-tribal salmon (Washington): $440,000
2013 Georgia White Shrimp: $1,062,000
2015 Washington Coastal Coho and Pink Tribal Salmon (Washington) – Hoh, Quileute Tribe, Stillaguamish, Nooksack, Muckleshoot, Upper Skagit, Suquamish: $3,856,000
2015-2016 Pacific Sardines (California): $1,640,000
2016 Ocean Troll Tribal Coho and Chinook (Washington) – Makah: $1,654,000
2016 Coastal Tribal Coho Salmon (Washington) – Quileute: $970,000
2016 – 2017 Klamath River Fall Chinook Tribal (California) – Hoopa, Yurok: $1,694,000
2016 – 2017 Klamath River Fall Chinook Non-Tribal (California): $5,042,000
2016-2017 Klamath River Fall Chinook Non-Tribal (Oregon): $2,150,000
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown requested the Oregon Klamath River fall Chinook fishery disaster declaration in May 2017. NMFS made the fishery failure determinations last year but it wasn’t until recently that funding allocations were made. Oregon’s Democrat senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were quick to applaud the announcement.
“Hard-working Oregon fishermen gearing up for their spring returns have now received a $2.1 million lifeline that will help them support their families and contribute to the economy in their coastal communities,” Wyden said in a press release. ”From commercial trollers to marinas, Oregon’s coastal fishing community fully deserves this good news.”
This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.