NOAA to allocate $21.3 million in support of California’s beleaguered commercial salmon fishery

NOAA announced $21.3 million in federal disaster aid for California's commercial salmon fishery, which resumed fishing in 2025 after a historic three-year closure due to low salmon stocks. The funding is part of $123.6 million for West Coast salmon fisheries, but industry representatives say it falls short of the estimated $90 million in revenue lost during the closures.

Getting your Trinity Audio //trinityaudio.ai player ready...California’s troubled commercial salmon fleet, fishing this year for the first time since 2022, is in store for some federal disaster aid after the Trump administration announced it would allocate $21.3 million to support the state’s beleaguered fishery. The June 17 announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, follows years of requests for help from a West Coast industry still reeling after a historic closure that banned all California salmon fishing in 2023, 2024 and 2025 due to low ocean forecasts of returning fish. California lawmakers first requested assistance from the Biden administration in April 2023, eventually securing $20.6 million in February 2024 https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2024/02/01/206-million-in-federal-disaster-aid-announced-for-salmon-industry-2/ to offset losses. California officials and industry representatives stressed it was not enough. About $90 million in revenue was lost from the first two closed seasons, according to estimates in aid requests from the Governor’s Office, which emphasized that far more funding is needed. Salmon stocks have weathered sharp declines amid waves of drought, shifting ocean conditions and longstanding effects from dams, river diversions and other development that have decimated their spawning runs. The NOAA announcement last week unveiled a total of $123.6 million in disaster aid for West Coast salmon fisheries, including the $21.3 million for California’s fleet and related businesses. “Finally, we are seeing movement from the administration and a commitment to allocate these desperately needed funds,” Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said in a statement. “But let’s be clear: it should not take years of congressional oversight, repeated inquiries, and public pressure for an administration to deliver disaster assistance that was reviewed, approved, and awaiting release.” With the funding now allocated, California has 120 days to submit a “spend plan” outlining how the money will be used, according to NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Michael Milstein. Funding will be awarded via grant by NOAA Fisheries within 90 days of the plan submission. Responsibility then shifts to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to distribute the funds. With the federal commitment now made, the state will begin its work on that plan, according to Chester Lindley, senior environmental scientist supervisor with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The blueprint will likely follow a similar approach to the 2023 plan, according to Lindley. The prior plan focused on assisting affected fishery sectors, dedicating 92% of the funds to direct payments. Though the allocation of funds is a step forward in the relief process, many are concerned about the speed at which funding will be distributed. Commercial fisherman Dick Ogg, president of the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Marketing Association, voiced hope for an expedited process that would speed money to those who need it right now. Many in the fishing business have been forced to shift or shut down operations that have weighty costs, including boat maintenance, equipment and permits. “Disaster relief is something that should supplement the industry when there is a disaster, not five years later,” Ogg said. You can reach Staff Writer Kyle Garcia Takata at kyle.garciatakata@pressdemocrat.com.