Contact: Matt Stout FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/29/96
The U. S. Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on the proposed $5.2 million second phase of a two-part vessel permit reduction program in the state of Washington. 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 Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Sustainable Development .
"We are looking for input from affected salmon fishermen on the most appropriate way to use a limited amount of dollars in the most effective and efficient manner possible," said Douglas K. Hall, Commerce's assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "This is truly 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."
Under the emergency assistance plan, NOAA specifically is requesting public comment on new bidding options for the 1996 Washington State Salmon Vessel License Buy Out Program, to be administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife through a cooperative agreement with NOAA.
On April 23, 1996, NOAA issued a notice for public comment on four options for ranking bids under the permit buyout plan. The fishing industry has expressed no consensus on any one option, prompting Commerce and Washington state to narrow and combine the four options into two options.
These two options are open for comment for the next 30 days, and include: Option 1 -- awarding grants to the lowest bids with a cap of $40,000 per bid; and Option 2 -- awarding grants to the lowest ratios, with the ratio determined by dividing an individual's bid by his salmon decline impact. Under Option 2, there is a cap of $50,000 per bid, and successful applicants would be prohibited from purchasing or operating another commercial salmon license for 10 years.
Option 1 continues the same scoring formula used in the first phase of the emergency assistance program, which resulted in the permanent reduction of 296 salmon permits.
Option 2 responds to the criticism that using the lowest bids to rank offers results in the purchase of marginal or part-time permits and does not address the concerns of needy fishermen.
"This second step of a very successful program is a model for others to follow in reducing overcapitalized fisheries," said Rolland Schmitten, director of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
Notice of the proposed program was published today, August 29, 1996, in the Federal Register.
Comments should be sent to Stephen P. Freese at: Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan, Trade and Industry Services Division, Northwest Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, BIN C15700, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
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