Policy Alert Archives   Tell the White House That the New National Policy for the Ocean, Coasts and Great lakes Must Safeguard Recreational Fishing 3/9/2010 New National Policy May Close Marine and Fresh Waters to Recreational Fishing 2/7/2010 Washington State Anglers Face a Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle 12/9/2009 Washington State Anglers Face a Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle 11/17/2009 New National Oceans and Great Lakes Policy Proposal Ignores $125 Billion Recreational Fishing's Economic Impact 10/5/2009 Contact Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Legislators Demanding They Prevent the National Park Service From Taking Away Your Right to Fish in Biscayne National Park! 9/25/2009 Send a letter to the National Park Service to Protect Your Right to Fish in Biscayne Bay 9/25/2009 Support HR 2565: The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act 4/27/2009 California Angler Access Decision Coming 4/27/2009 The Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 Update 4/6/2009 The Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 2/5/2009 Recreational Fishing in the Pacific Ocean is in Peril 10/15/2008 West Coast Salmon Disaster Relief Funds Released 9/18/2008 Support Marine Protected Area Proposal 2XA 4/9/2008 Support S.2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008 4/7/2008 ASA Opposes U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Proposed Rule Regarding "First Sale" 4/4/2008 ASA's Position on Proposed Recreational Fishing Restrictions for Gag Grouper in the gulf of Mexico 3/17/2008 ASA's Position on NOAA's Sanctuaries Program's Islands in the Stream Gulf of Mexico Proposal 2/6/2008 Support Passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Act 8/28/2006 Restoration of the Klamath River Salmon Populations 8/22/2006 Excise Tax—Where Are We Now? 5/24/2006 EEZ Striped Bass Fishing 5/19/2006 Support Health Insurance Bill 5/11/2006 Learn More

September 18, 2008

American Sportfishing Association Policy Alert

West Coast Salmon Disaster Relief Funds Released

For more information, contact Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, or Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.

The Situation
On September 17, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that it is making $100 million in disaster relief aid available to businesses affected by this year’s closure of the ocean salmon fishing season off California, Oregon and Washington state. The governors of all three West Coast states requested a federal disaster declaration.

According to NMFS, $100 million of the $170 million originally intended for distribution will be available immediately in the wake of this year’s closing of commercial and sport Chinook salmon ocean fishing. The remaining $70 million is expected to be available later in the year. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) will administer the disaster relief program.

The PSMFC mailed applications this week to commercial fishermen with permits. Other businesses affected by the closure including charter boat owners, recreational guides, wholesalers, processors and businesses dependent on fishing can find applications on the PSMFC Web site. Applicants must be licensed state permit holders or have purchased a state business license or permit in 2007. Please complete an application immediately to expedite the compensation process.

Please direct your questions to the PSMFC by going to their Web site or calling