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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fishermen Try Their Hand At Reaching Salmon Deal Alaska, Canada Watch Workers Race Against March 15 Deadline

Associated Press

After years of talks, threats and frustration, people who work in Canada’s West Coast salmon fishery are hoping they can make progress where politicians have failed.

Fishermen, seafood processors, plant workers and union representatives from the United States and Canada will gather this week in Portland, in an attempt to get things moving.

“I think we’re at a big wall and maybe the fishermen per se can see a way through it versus the political end,” says Larry Wick, a fisherman and fish processor who will be attending the talks, which begin today.

“I think we might be able to shake out the issues bothering the users, versus the ones bothering the politicians.”

Their recommendations will be given to U.S. and Canadian negotiators, who have a March 15 deadline for a deal.

Despite the guarded optimism that these talks might make a difference, few are holding their breath on the deadline.

The Pacific Salmon Treaty was signed in 1985 and worked until 1992, but it has expired and there has been no agreement since then.

Canada accuses Alaska of endangering salmon stocks by catching too many fish on their way back to British Columbia rivers to spawn.

Alaska officials blame poor management by British Columbia for the depleted stocks.

The issue heated up again after B.C. Premier Glen Clark said his government might provoke an international incident unless there was progress.

Alaska’s two senators responded that the state might cut its ferry service to Prince Rupert, B.C.

The Portland talks will take place in two groups: those representing the industry in northern British Columbia and Alaska, and those from southern B.C. and Washington and Oregon.