Multiple tribal fishery disasters declared in Washington, West Coast tribes awarded $17 million
Sep 12, 2022, 3:48 PM
Chinook salmon are an important resource for many tribal communities along the West Coast. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)
(Photo courtesy of NOAA)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced nearly $17.5 million will be used to address fishery disasters that occurred in multiple tribal salmon fisheries on the West Coast from 2014 to 2019, including Washington.
“Sustainable and resilient fisheries play a vital role in helping tribal communities put food on the table and in supporting economic well-being,” said Raimondo. “It’s our hope that this disaster declaration will help the affected tribes recover from these disasters and increase their ability to combat future challenges.”
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Raimondo found that the following fisheries met the requirements for a fishery disaster determination:
- 2019 Fraser River & Skagit River Salmon Fisheries (the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip, Upper Skagit Tribes).
- 2019 Puget Sound Fall Chum Salmon Fishery (Squaxin Island Tribe).
- 2019 Klamath River Fall Chinook Salmon Fishery (Yurok Tribe).
- 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019 Fraser River and Nooksack River Terminal Area Sockeye, Chinook, Chum, Coho and Pink Salmon Fishery (Lummi Nation).
- 2014 and 2019 Fraser River Sockeye and Puget Sound Chum, and Coho Salmon Fishery (Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe).
Positive determinations make these fisheries eligible for disaster assistance from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In order to allocate funding across eligible disasters, NOAA Fisheries uses commercial revenue loss information.
“NOAA has great respect for our tribal fishery co-managers, and their knowledge, science, and history are invaluable to our work managing and restoring fisheries,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “With climate change impacts further stressing our fisheries and waterways, it is essential that we work together to take on the challenges in our ecosystems and communities.”
These funds are meant to improve the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the impacted fisheries, including fishery-related infrastructure projects, habitat restoration, tribal and fishing permit buybacks, job retraining and more.
Some fishery-related businesses impacted by this fishery disaster may also be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration.
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