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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Capps called for the Bush Administration to issue a full fishery failure disaster declaration for the West Coast salmon fishery which has been devastated by the Bush Administration’s decision to severely curtail coastal salmon fishing. Issuing a full fishery failure disaster declaration would allow the Federal government to provide direct financial assistance to commercial fishers. Last night Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez took the initial step in declaring full failure by announcing a ‘fishery resource disaster.’ This declaration makes commercial fishers and businesses eligible for loans from the Small Business Administration to invest in infrastructure improvements such as improving docks, ice houses, boats, etc, but does allow them to use the money toward moorage fees, or other expenses.
“While I’m pleased that the Bush Administration has finally begun to recognize the extent of the crisis facing our Central Coast fishing community, this process has taken far too long and much more remains to be done,” said Capps. “Commerce Secretary Gutierrez’s declaration of a ‘fishery resource disaster’ last night is a good first step, but only providing small business loans to make improvements to equipment like boats won’t help these families put food on the table and pay their mortgages. It is far past time for the Bush Administration to step up and provide the necessary financial resources to aid these devastated fishing communities in their time of need. I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to put pressure on the Bush Administration to issue a full fledged disaster declaration as soon as possible and secure funding to assist these fishing families.”
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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.
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