Rep. Hoyle Joins Oregon Delegation to Urge Release of Critical Fishery Disaster Funding
Lawmakers press the Trump Administration to act quickly to unlock $7 million intended to help Oregon’s ocean commercial fishermen recover from significant economic losses from declining salmon populations
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2025
EUGENE, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), alongside U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) pressed the Trump Administration to release the $7,050,722 that was allocated to Oregon for the catastrophic regional fishery disaster that was declared for the Oregon Chinook salmon commercial ocean fisheries in the state for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) resubmitted their spending plan for funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Commerce in October 2024, but their final revised application has gone without a response from the Trump Administration for the last several months, delaying much needed funding for Oregon’s fishermen.
The Oregon lawmakers are urging Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to promptly review and act upon the PSMFC’s application without further delay to help the state’s ocean commercial fishermen and coastal economies recover from the significant toll of declining salmon populations.
“Oregon salmon and salmon fisheries are an invaluable cultural, economic, and ecological resource in our state. Salmon are highly valued by Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest for cultural, subsistence, and economic benefits,” wrote the lawmakers.
The impact salmon loss has on Oregon’s economy cannot be understated, as the state’s commercial fishing industry generates more than $640 million in economic activity each year, equivalent to 9,200 jobs.
The lawmakers pressed this fact to Director Vought: “Additionally, the commercial salmon industry is a significant economic driver for rural communities on the Oregon Coast, generating millions of dollars in economic output. Sadly, our salmon fisheries have faced significant obstacles over the last decade which have resulted in significant fishery declines.”
As the Oregon delegation continues to hear from concerned constituents in Oregon’s coastal communities and fisheries, they are requesting Director Vought provide responses to the following questions by August 1, 2025:
1. Does the Office of Management and Budget require additional information to process the application submitted by the PSMFC?
2. Will the Office of Management and Budget commit to promptly reviewing the application resubmitted by PSMFC in a timely manner and to apportion and obligate funding to the designated amount of $7,050,722 for the declared disaster?
“We look forward to a timely disbursal of these critical funds to assist Oregon’s commercial salmon industry and await your response,” the lawmakers closed.
Full text of the Oregon delegation’s letter can be found HERE.
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