Poor Salmon Runs Could Mean Short Season for WA Fishermen
Monday, April 2, 2007
Seattle, WA - Last year a shortened salmon season meant a huge economic loss for Washington fishermen, fishing businesses and fishing communities. This year may be more of the same. The Pacific Fishery Management Council is meeting in Seattle this week to decide the length and quantity of the season. Commercial fisherman Joel Kawahara says it's forcing fishermen to take their business elsewhere.
"A lot of people are not being able to count on Washington salmon. Most salmon fishermen are diversifying into other states. A lot of people aren't even going to bother to fish in Washington this year."
Kawahara urges the federal government to do more to restore the salmon, and the livelihoods of the fishermen, businesses and communities that rely on them. He points out that the government keeps touting salmon as an important resource for the Northwest, but it doesn't back that up with solid recovery policies.
"The federal government needs to stop using salmon as a political football."
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council is meeting in Seattle from April 2-6.
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