Contact: Matt Stout FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/30/96
The U. S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today awarded the state of Washington $5.2 million to implement the second phase of a two-part vessel permit reduction program to be administered through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program aims to provide financial assistance to commercial salmon fishermen adversely impacted by the depletion of Pacific salmon stocks and to restore the long-term viability of the fishery.
The first phase of the Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan was implemented last year by NOAA's Office of Sustainable Development for $4 million and retired 296 salmon fishery permits.
"This voluntary program seeks to reduce the number of salmon permits in the fishery while lessening the adverse economic impact on the fishermen," said Douglas K. Hall, Commerce's assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "This is a collaborative effort between the state of Washington and the federal government to use these funds in a way that benefits both the fishermen and the fishery resource."
These funds will be provided to administer a salmon vessel permit buyback program utilizing a process and eligibility criteria currently being developed. The objective of the program is to reduce the number of permits in the depleted fishery.
###
NOTE: All NOAA press releases, and links to other NOAA material, can be
found on the Internet at
http://www.noaa.gov/public-affairs. Journalists who wish to be added
to our press release distribution list, or who wish to switch from fax to
e-mail delivery, can send an e-mail to releases@www.rdc.noaa.gov, or fax to (202)
482-3154. NOAA constituents can send an e-mail to constaff@www.rdc.noaa.gov, or
fax to (202) 501-2953.