OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- Most people have heard of 'Live Aid" and "Farm Aid" to benefit the starving in Ethiopia and American farmers. But in Oakland this weekend was a whole new kind of benefit, "Salmon Aid."
"I don't think anyone who's been paying attention the last few months or years, is unaware of the fact that salmon, and fishing communities are having a really tough time," said Joseph Bogaard, of Seattle, with the organization Save Our Wild Salmon.
He says more than raising money, the event with lots of live music, food and drinks, at Jack London Square, should raise awareness of the troubled future of wild Pacific Salmon.
Out of work salmon fisherman Chris Iverson of Point Arena showed up because he says he has plenty of down time since the commercial salmon season was cancelled this year due to a lack of fish.
"Bad management practices of the past have finally come to the point where we can't even fish anymore. It's shut down. It's a shame, because the ocean's going to be in good condition with all the wind that we had, and the bait that's showing up," said Iverson.
The point is to send a message to Congress that salmon spawning grounds need rehabilitation before they're lost forever. Events continue all day Sunday, and are free to the public.
(MGO)
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KCBS' Tim Ryan reports
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