April 26, 2023 3:00 a.m.

Most of the Oregon Congressional Delegation is urging the Department of Commerce to issue an expedited declaration of a fishery resource disaster for Oregon, which would trigger immediate financial aid.

A letter from Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimodo said the value of salmon to Oregon cannot be overstated. The lawmakers said, “In addition to the economic activity generated by this industry, salmon are an important part of the cultural heritage of Pacific Northwest tribes and are a treasured natural resource across the state”. The letter said, “However, the challenging impacts of climate change, increased drought, changing ocean conditions, and critical habitat loss complicate the recovery of salmon populations along the Pacific Coast. Federal support for this industry is critical while local, state, and federal partners continue work on long-term solutions”.

A joint release said there continue to be devastating declines in economic activity for Pacific commercial salmon fisheries with an 82 percent loss of value projected in this area, compared to the recent five-year average. The National Marine Fisheries Service is expected to close all Oregon commercial ocean fisheries for Chinook salmon through August of this year. A declared fishery resource disaster triggers immediate federal aid to help respond to the ongoing losses from low salmon populations and provide support to economically distressed communities.

The congressional declaration support letter came in support of Governor Tina Kotek’s request for the same declaration.