The National Marine Fishery Service shut down almost all commercial and recreational chinook salmon fishing off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington yesterday, a move that came as little surprise, but which allow federal aid for those hurt by the collapse of the industry.

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez declared a "commercial fishery disaster." which is certainly a new phrase in our lexicon. That's because there's really no precedent here -- it's the first total closure along the West Coast since commercial fishing started in 1848.

The move followed last month's recommendation by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which estimates that estimates fewer than 60,000 salmon will make it back to the Sacramento River this year. That's about one-third the number needed to sustain a healthy fish population. Ecologists are still scrambling to understand why the population has declined so drastically.

State officials will now be allowed to seek federal assistance for the fishing, tourism, processing and boating industries, which are expected to face losses of at least $290 million. Not a good time to be in or dependent on the fishing industry, especially since this ban could last for more than a season. Years is what it may take order to allow the salmon population to recover.