All salmon fishing banned on US West Coast

Chinook or King salmon
This is what happens when you don't have "big" government judicially regulating an industry. Thousands will be economically devastated.

Here is what could have happened.

1. Limit takes. Don't let the trawlers over-fish the salmon to the point they are decimated.

2. Set a limit on the number of boats allowed to fish through licensing.

3. Establish a waiting list of captains who want to fish and dole out licenses as other captains retire or die.

4. Set limited seasons on when boats can take salmon.

These steps, had they been implemented earlier could have prevented this catastrophe. Everyone would suffer to some extent, but not been deprived of their livelihoods completely.

Salmon fishing was banned along the West Coast for the first time in 160 years Thursday, a decision that is expected to have a devastating economic impact on fishermen, dozens of businesses, tourism and boating.

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez immediately declared a commercial fishery disaster, opening the door for Congress to appropriate money for anyone who will be economically harmed.

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