CA fishermen protest Klamath caused shut-down as Oregon seeks relief

The Klamath River's returning King Salmon numbers regulate much of Northern California and Oregon's coastlines, therefore all fishing. This year is the second year that Klamath Salmon numbers hit record lows and most likely all of Northern California's and Oregon commercial fishing will shut down devastating the states economies.

The plight of the Klamath Salmon and the commercial and tribal fishermen that depend on them got national attention when over 68,000 adult salmon died in the Klamath in 2002. The cause of this die -off was low, polluted water due to water diversions and dams upstream. Scientist predicted this event, yet the Bush administration decided to ignore the scientist and fishing communities in the Klamath. Fish kills have occurred every year since.

As this rally occurred in Santa Rosa, in Oregon the governor stated he would request millions in disaster relief for Oregon's fishermen whom are also most likely to be shut-down this year due to the record low Klamath runs, and that something must be done in the Klamath.

Fishermen, Native Americans, and environmentalists are asking Pacific Power of Portland, OR to take out the four major dams on the Klamath as a way to improve the water quality and open of hundreds of miles of now closed salmon habitat.

The Klamath River is home to the three largest tribes in California, all of which are dependant on the salmon culturally and for food. Tribal fishing could also be affected by this decision. The Yurok Tribe recently announced a voluntary partial closure.

THE MOVEMENT TO UN-DAM THE KLAMATH IS ONGOING AND THERE ARE MANY FILM NIGHTS AND PROTESTS PLANNED THIS SPRING AND SUMMER FOR THE KLAMATH RIVER.