Charleston (KMTR) - Local salmon fishermen are still looking for disaster relief dollars after several bad fishing years. Trollers met for a brainstorming session in Charleston Thursday. They say they've never received full funding for past seasons that have already been declared disasters, and they want to add 2011 to the list of "failed fishery" years. Trollers say the money is important for the whole coastal community, not just fishing boats. J.D. Evanow said, "It all stays local, so by the time that money spins around in our communities and stuff it's created quite a bit of income for a lot of different people."
Fishermen also expressed disappointment with elected officials, for not delivering the help they promised. Organizers say they invited all legislators from Oregon's coastal caucus to attend the meeting; Peter Defazio was the only member to send a representative.
