Senate offers support of fishing fleet

OLYMPIA – A resolution introduced by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, honors the Washington state commercial fishing fleet and offers condolences to those who have lost their lives at sea.

“Those who fish to bring food to our tables and to support their families take enormous risks,” Kohl-Welles said. “Today we take a few moments to honor their hard work and remember those who did not come home.”

The state’s commercial fishing fleet is one of the world’s largest distant water fleets. It provides for approximately 10,000 jobs in the Greater Seattle area and accounts for gross annual sales of more than $3.5 billion. Commercial fishing harvests nearly 3 billion pounds of fish and shellfish annually, worth more than $1.6 billion at the wholesale level.

“We extend our condolences to the families and friends of all the fishers who have perished at sea, wish the entire commercial fishing fleet a safe and prosperous season, and express our hope that all the fishers return safely,” Kohl-Welles said.

Kohl-Welles’ resolution was considered in advance of the 78th annual blessing of the fleet offered by the Ballard First Lutheran Church, scheduled for Sunday, March 11 at Fishermen’s Terminal on the Seattle waterfront. She is expected to make remarks at the ceremony unless she is on the Senate floor as the Senate is scheduled to be in session then.

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