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Washington, DC -- Just after the Pacific Management Fishery Council recommended reducing sport and effectively closing commercial salmon fishing off the coast of Oregon and California, Congressman David Wu and his colleagues learned that the Bush administration plans to challenge a court decision that would have aided in the protection of salmon on the Klamath River.
"This administration has proven time and time again that science is given a back seat to politics, and today is no different," stated Congressman David Wu. "Even though federal scientists agree that water management and environmental degradation are the two primary causes of salmon loss, the administration has decided to continue to stand in the way of real solutions for salmon recovery."
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice will challenge a U.S. District Court order to send additional water flows down the Klamath River. The decision to challenge the order is in direct conflict with science that shows poor water management and environmental degradation are the two primary causes of salmon loss.
"The last few hours illustrate this administration is hostile to science and our way of life in Oregon," continued Congressman Wu. "No other approach, other than a policy based on better up-river water management and habitat restoration, will ever restore the Klamath fall Chinook run."
In response to today's news, Congressman Wu sent a letter to Dr. William Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), reiterating his call for real solutions for salmon recovery. NMFS will take the council's recommendation under consideration and issue a final decision on sport and commercial salmon fishing. NMFS is expected to announce the decision by May 1.
This is the fourth letter Congressman Wu has authored on this matter. He has also signed onto several joint letters with members of Congress from both Oregon and California to ask for an economic disaster declaration and for the immediate disbursement of financial assistance.
Congressman Wu and his colleagues are also drafting legislation to require the federal government develop and implement a coordinated, comprehensive research and recovery program for Klamath River fall Chinook and Coho salmon. The legislation will also authorize the payments of disaster relief for distribution to coastal communities affected by the declining Klamath River fall Chinook.
A copy of Congressman Wu's letter is attached.
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The Pacific Fishery Management Council recommendation in summary:
From Cape Falcon, Oregon south to Humbug Mountain, Oregon, sport fishing will not be limited. From Humbug Mountain and south into California, the sport fishing season will only be open May 15 - July 4 and September 1-6. A complete closure of sport fishing off the Oregon and California coast would have cost coastal communities somewhere from $200 to $500 million.
Commercial fishing will be completely closed from Florence, Oregon and south into California. From Florence north to Cape Falcon, the council recommended a 56-day commercial fishing season. This is a further reduction from the 96-day commercial fishing season in 2005.
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