Another closure of salmon fisheries exposes state’s water politics
For the second year in a row, there will be no commercial or recreational salmon fishing in California. … The Golden State Salmon Association supports the recommendation of the [Pacific Fishery Management Council], which works closely with federally recognized West Coast tribes, many who define themselves as “salmon people” and hold annual ceremonies to honor their return each year. Bates said $20.6 million has been allocated from the U.S. Department of Commerce to compensate for some of the losses caused by last year’s closure to charter fleets and commercial fleets, buyers and processors. But the fisheries are calling on the state to allocate water, not cash. Scott Artis, executive director of the Golden State Salmon Association, said big agriculture is not limited in their water use, but fisheries get hit with constraints.
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