MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — This year’s big run of Fraser River sockeye salmon is a boon for Swinomish tribal fishermen.
Gary Graves of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission told the Skagit Valley Herald the past three years have been dismal so this year’s catch is especially welcome.
The run is estimated at about 34 million fish. Last year’s run was below 10 million. In 2008 the Commerce Department declared the run a disaster and allocated $2 million to tribes and commercial fishermen to make up for lost income.
The Swinomish are one of nine tribes in Western Washington with treaty rights to catch Fraser River sockeye in U.S. waters before they migrate to Canada.
