photo credit: Greta Mart/KRCB
Dick Ogg's fishing boat at the Spud Point Marina in Bodega Bay.

Last spring, the commercial chinook salmon season was completely cancelled. Now federal officials are offering emergency subsidized loans for an industry in crisis.

Rates on the loans of up to $2 million dollars are subsidized. Loans to small businesses are available at 4%, and at 2.38% for nonprofit organizations.

The loans must be repaid over a 30-year term, though no payments are required over the first year.

George Kostyrko, a spokesman for the federal Small Business Administration, or SBA, said the aid is meant to help a now struggling sector.

"The closure has had an economic impact on the commercial and recreational fishing and those associated with the broader salmon fishing industry here on the west coast," Kostyrko said.

The loans are being made available to those who can prove economic loss in any of 31 different California counties and two in Oregon. Salmon boat operators and those with a financial stake in them, processors and even some retailers should qualify.

But only certain expenses or losses count.

"The definition would be whether or not these expenses must be paid regardless of whether the operation generates a profit, so in this instance, where an individual participates as a crew member on a fishing boat and does not have an investment in the boat or the equipment, they are typically not eligible because they are considered subcontractors," Kostyrko said.

Nevertheless, the federal agency encourages those in the salmon fishing industry to apply.

"Once they start the process, they'll find out their eligibility. It's really important though to start the process as soon as possible," Kostyrko said.

Applications must be received by August 29 of next year.

As to why its taken eight months to muster, Kostyrko said the agency moved quickly once a disaster declaration was made, which started with Governor Gavin Newsom requesting one.

"I couldn't speak to the process up to when the request was made to our organization, I just know that, as of November 29th, the declaration was made," Kostyrko said.

Applications can be made through the SBA loan portal, though an SBA customer service center or by calling 1-800-659-2955.