Salmon season canceled in Calif., Ore.

SACRAMENTO, April 11 (UPI) -- The Pacific Fishery Management Council has voted to cancel this year's recreational salmon fishing season off the coasts of California and Oregon.

The council approved the measure in the hopes that it would help reverse the disappearance of salmon from Californian waters, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency after the vote and sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking him to help California obtain federal disaster assistance for its salmon problem. Schwarzenegger's office also announced he plans to sign legislation that would earmark about $5.3 million to help restore coastal salmon and steelhead fisheries.

"California's salmon runs are a treasured state resource and provide significant contributions to our economy and our environment," Schwarzenegger said. "Today's decision by the Pacific Fishery Management Council underscores our responsibility to quickly free up state and federal resources to help the fishing industry cope with the devastating economic impacts closing the season will have.