Some Relief Secured for Communities Impacted by Salmon Season Closure, Call for More

Press release from Representative Jared Huffman:

Today, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Representative Jimmy Panetta (D- Monterey) shared the news that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved $20 million in relief funds for California’s fishing community, falling significantly short of the $45 million requested by the state. This follows continued pressure from the lawmakers to secure this relief for the 2023 Sacramento River Fall Chinook and Klamath River Fall Chinook and inland salmon fisheries disasters.

 

“While I am glad we were finally able to get some relief into the hands of folks who have been hit hardest by last year’s salmon fishery closure, it is grossly inadequate for addressing the severity of this disaster. We got this relief out the door faster than what’s standard in the federal government – but I know that’s not nearly quick enough for the needs of fishermen who depend on this money for their equipment, their operations, and their lives,” said Rep. Huffman. “I will always pressure the administration to get the quickest help possible for my constituents, whether it’s for fisheries closures, natural disaster relief, you name it. And I plan to get to the bottom of why NOAA could not provide even half of California’s request and where the additional $25 million went.”

 

“The plummeting Chinook salmon populations and resulting fishery closures are nothing short of a disaster — and the federal government needs to treat it as such,” said Senator Padilla. “This funding will help affected communities, but it falls far short of what fishers, Tribes, businesses, and families who depend on healthy salmon fisheries need to sustain their livelihoods. As climate change threatens these populations, I will keep fighting for urgently needed resources to prevent catastrophic consequences for the environment and for these communities.” 

 

“The closure of Chinook salmon fisheries has far-reaching impacts on commercial, recreational, and charter fishers, tribes, businesses, restaurants, and families in California’s 19th Congressional District and throughout our state,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The announcement of $20.6 million in federal disaster assistance is welcome news as we begin alleviating the economic strain that this closure has had on our coastal economy.  However, there is much more to do as my colleagues and I continue to apply pressure where needed in order to deliver any additional federal aid to our fisheries and surrounding communities.”

 

In April 2023, Huffman, Padilla, and Panetta led their colleagues in an urgent letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, calling for them to swiftly declare a federal fishery disaster. Earlier that month, Rep. Huffman held a press conference with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Representative Kevin Mullin, and fishing industry stakeholders to call attention to this disaster and highlight the people who will bear the brunt of the impacts of closing the salmon season. In addition to regular follow up with NOAA, Rep. Huffman held a call directly with NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad to continue the pressure and encourage him to prompt action.

 

As part of his long-standing efforts to improve disaster relief for fisheries, Congressman Huffman was able to help secure an additional $300 million for fishery disaster declarations Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Congress also authorized new bipartisan fishery disaster relief language based on Congressman Jared Huffman and Senator Roger Wicker’s Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act. This language streamlines the process for declaring a federal fishery disaster and helps to quickly provide relief to affected communities. It also extends eligibility for federal fishery disaster funds not only to commercial fisheries, but also to charter fishing businesses and impacted tribes.