Thompson's bill better for salmon, fishermen

Earlier this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 10 Northern California counties affected by the federal government's decision to severely restrict ocean salmon fishing. In doing so, he made commercial fishermen in Del Norte and nine other counties eligible for state-guaranteed loans totaling $9.2 million.

The response of local fishermen was lukewarm at best. While the offer might be better than a kick in the stern, a loan carrying 7 percent interest isn't really what a fisherman struggling with a major income loss really needs. As Kenny Graves, captain of the Crescent City-based Jeannie Marie, said, “It does not make good financial sense to borrow money that you have little or no certainty of paying back.”

For fishermenâ€"as well as businesses related to the fishing industryâ€"there's something in the works that makes much better sense.

Federal legislation written and introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, who represents Del Norte and the rest of California's First District in Congress, would provide $81 million in direct assistance to fishermen and other businesses hurt by this year's salmon shutdown on the West Coast.

Every bit as crucial as that financial help for fishermen and businesses is a second component of Thompson's bill that directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to complete a Klamath River salmon recovery plan within six months and authorizes $45 million to implement the plan. The Department of Commerce would also be required to report to Congress annually on the progress of the Klamath recovery plan.

A long-term plan for fixing the Klamath's problemsâ€"and the money to put it into playâ€"is essential to maintaining a vital commercial salmon fishing industry along the North coast and beyond.

The Klamath River was once the third-greatest producer of salmon in the continental United States. Today, the Klamath's salmon runs are below 10 percent of historic levels.

Fisheries scientists cite several things that have contributed to the Klamath's ailing health. A federal water management plan has reduced river flows, leading to rising water temperatures and poor water quality that have allowed deadly parasites to attack juvenile salmon. Aging dams without fish ladders have cut off historic salmon spawning areas.

While we appreciate the governor's actions, Thompson's bill would do much more to help our fishing industry.