Salmon conservation
The sport fishing industry
The commercial fishing industry
Local communities and the Regional economy
Salmon consumers; especially those supporting sustainability
SAFE-for-Salmon calls for the relocation of non-tribal commercial gill nets off the lower Columbia River into existing off-channel, terminal fishing areas known as SAFE (Select Area Fisheries Enhancement).
This would dramatically and immediately decrease gillnetting's impact on endangered and threatened fish species on the main stem of the Columbia River.
Washington and Oregon can then use this increased flexibility to maximize sport fishing opportunities on the Columbia translating into full and regular salmon seasons.
Hatchery smolt production will be increased significantly in existing or expanded SAFE areas to bolster commercial harvest.
Terminal fishing in SAFE areas such as Young’s Bay, near Astoria, Oregon, has been used for years to supplement the commercial fishery.
According to Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) figures, 2007 SAFE area fisheries contributed 62% of spring chinook commercial harvest and 26% of fall salmon harvest in the Columbia River. Those numbers can and will grow under the SAFE-for-Salmon proposal.
The Benefits
The Fish Win!
The bycatch of endangered and threatened fish species such as wild steelhead, sockeye and sturgeon will drop dramatically with the relocation of gill nets.
Currently far too many hatchery strays mix with wild fish on their spawning grounds. This causes damage to wild populations, damage that will lead to environmental lawsuits that could shut down hatcheries critical to the region’s fisheries.
Reprogramming more juvenile hatchery fish to lower SAFE areas rather than upriver release sites will reduce the number of adult hatchery fish that stray onto wild spawning grounds.
Full and regular salmon seasons will also allow anglers to reduce the number of hatchery strays through their catch.
Commercial nets in SAFE areas will harvest high portions of returning hatchery fish that have already passed through SAFE areas, further reducing strays.
SAFE will provide increased flexibility for management of the fisheries thus allowing the departments to respond quickly to shifts in run sizes.
These measures will help fish populations reverse their steady decline.
SAFE for Salmon is good for Conservation.
The Commercial Fishing Industry Wins
ODFW studies show that moving coho salmon smolts from upriver hatcheries to release points in SAFE areas significantly improves overall survival into commercial Ocean fisheries and substantially expands the overall harvest benefit of the Ocean, Buoy 10 and in-river commercial fisheries.
At a time when Ocean coho fisheries are severely restricted, a doubling of hatchery fish survival would benefit every community on the Oregon and Washington Coast and would be an economic boon for lower Columbia River communities.
Increased hatchery releases and improved salmon survival rates in SAFE areas would ensure stable and profitable commercial fishing while adequately supplying markets thus benefitting Oregon consumers.
Furthermore, the SAFE area salmon that will be harvested will be of higher quality, fresh from the Ocean and in their prime, fetching top market value for the commercial netters.
Commercial fisheries will catch just as many, if not more, fish than they do now, with far more dependability, less environmental harm, lower harvest costs and higher economic value.
SAFE for Salmon is good for the commercial fishing.
The Sport Fishing Industry Wins
SAFE for Salmon will double the sport fishery.
SAFE for Salmon will lead to regular, full seasons throughout the year with dramatically increased spring and fall salmon seasons nd the creation of a summer Chinook season.
SAFE for Salmon will drastically reduce the bycatch of other sport fish such as steelhead and sturgeon.
SAFE for Salmon is good for sport fishing.
The Economy Wins
Fishing license fees, a shrinking revenue base for ODFW and the State due to shortened seasons, will increase in tandem with sport fishing opportunities.
For each spring Chinook salmon caught, sport anglers in Oregon contribute roughly $480.00 into the economy for gas, bait, food, lodging and gear. The greatest economic benefit for each harvestable salmon results from sport fishing.
A visitor to Oregon would utilize a guide service at $175.00 per day. A commercially caught salmon will usually sell for $30-$150 per fish at the dock, depending on species and season.
Visiting anglers pump millions into the restaurant and tourism industries. However, short and unpredictable salmon seasons stunt tourism and its resulting revenue. Regular and full salmon seasons will benefit all of Oregon.
Under SAFE for Salmon sport fishing, a $1 billion industry in Oregon, will step back from the brink of disaster and thrive under SAFE for Salmon.
Massive layoffs and business closures will be avoided and the State and local communities will continue to benefit from the millions of tax revenue dollars generated by sport fishing.
The commercial fishing industry will also thrive.
Expanded and consistent commercial catches will benefit Oregonians at the marketplace.
SAFE for Salmon is good for the Oregon economy.
The Next Step
We cannot afford to continue to wait for the Commisson to produce a fair, evenhanded solution while our fish populations shrink, our businesses fold, and our families and communities suffer. Immediate action is needed.
The SAFE for Salmon proposal will be introduced as a bill in Oregon’s 2009 Legislative Session and, with hard work and the help of those who want to see success for our salmon, salmon dependent industries and our local and state economy, we will succeed.