Top Northern Pikeminnow harvester earned $66,478
CBC Crescent Bar Chronicle News
PORTLAND -- The top earner in the Northern Pikeminnow Sports Reward Program this year earned $66,478 during the six-month season, and the second place angler brought in $60,742.
The program pays cash for catching and removing the voracious fish from the Columbia and Snake rivers, reducing their consumption of juvenile salmon. Payment is $4 to $8 for Pikeminnow nine inches and larger caught in the lower Columbia and Snake river.
In addition 156 Pikeminnow were specially tagged and worth up to $500 each.
This year, more than 155,000 northern Pikeminnow were caught, saving an estimated 4 million young Salmon and Steelhead from being eaten by the hungry predators.
The program lasted from May 1 to Oct. 16.
"This program is not only good for salmon. It provides an opportunity to earn income, which is especially important during these tough economic times," said Russell Porter, senior program manager for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, which administers the program.
It is paid for by the Bonneville Power Administration.
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