On November 7th, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) indicated that he had “just been assured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that it would release the [2023 Salmon Fishery Disaster Relief] funds to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commision by the end of 2024 for dispersal”.
On April 11, 2024, the Newsom Administration requested a federal fishery disaster declaration, after the Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously recommended a full closure of the ocean salmon season for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile affected communities in California are still awaiting funds from the 2023 disaster declaration.
About the 2023 funds, Representative Huffman issued the following statement:
“Our California salmon fishermen have been waiting far too long for relief funds for the 2023 salmon disaster. I have just been assured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that it will release the funds by the end of 2024 to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for dispersal. There is a process the PSMFC – run by the four Pacific states and Idaho - must adhere to before it can issue checks to affected businesses and fishers, and that process will be publicized when it is open. I am encouraging the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to act as quickly as possible once it receives the funds.”