North Coast fishing industry relief bill passes committee

California relief bill SB 1018, intended to provide loans to salmon fishermen and other businesses impacted by closure of the salmon fishery last year as a result of declines in the Klamath River chinook salmon, has passed a key Senate committee.

Loan relief legislation authored by state Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is moving forward through the Legislature following a unanimous vote of approval in a key Senate committee.

Senate Bill 1018 creates the Salmon Fishing Aid Revolving Loan Program to provide loans to salmon fishermen and other businesses directly impacted by near closure of the salmon fishery in north state waters last year as a result of declines in the Klamath River chinook salmon populations.

“The consequences of this federal action were enormous,” Aanestad said in a news release. “Boats were lost. Jobs were lost. Entire families were devastated. My legislation is designed to help resurrect this vital resources industry and bring some economic stability and sanity back to Northern California.”

The decision to restrict salmon harvests in the north state last year resulted in nearly $30 million in economic losses.

SB 1018 will establish the Salmon Fishing Aid Revolving Loan Program Account within the Small Business Expansion Fund in the State Treasury for direct loans made through financial development corporations, according to the news release.