[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 12914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STOP CURTAILING SALMON FISHING ON THE PACIFIC COAST

  (Mr. WU asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, this administration has moved to massively 
curtail fishing for salmon on the Pacific Coast. This is not just an 
economic effect. Salmon fishing is part of our culture. It is a part of 
who we are. This closure is not based on sound science; it is based in 
raw politics. It is allegedly to benefit one spring salmon run on the 
Klamath River.
  But closure of the ocean will not bring the spring chinook back. What 
will bring it back, according to NOAA's own scientists, is better water 
management and taking better care of the water base and ecosystem. 
Closure of the ocean salmon season will not do any of these things.
  Yesterday, we met with NOAA officials, and they decided not to even 
declare an emergency so that relief can be given for the disaster which 
they created. We are going to take actions today to alleviate or 
terminate the disaster that NOAA has created on the northwest coast.

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