Port Commission approves rent waivers for salmon vessels and processors after three canceled seasons

The Port Commission of the Port of San Francisco approved a temporary rent-relief package on a unanimous vote to help commercial salmon fishers and processors affected by the cancellation of multiple 2023–2025 salmon seasons.

Port staff proposed a plan to waive berth rents for permanent San Francisco salmon vessels for six months and to reduce lease rents for permanent salmon processors for three months. Dominic Moran, Assistant Deputy Director of Maritime, said the relief would be available to about 36 fishers and roughly 17 processors and estimated the combined revenue impact to the port at approximately $596,327.26.

“The proposed commercial salmon vessel and processor relief plan will offer berth rent relief for a 6 month period and seafood processor rent relief for a 3 month period,” Moran told the commission, adding the change would “throw a critical lifeline to the many small business fishing industry men and women during a period of unprecedented financial impacts.”

Why it matters: Commissioners described the relief as a short-term measure to prevent immediate economic collapse among small businesses tied to the salmon fishery while acknowledging the problem may be recurring. Commissioner McNeely said the commission should weigh whether a longer-term solution is needed as climate-driven changes to fisheries continue. Commissioner Steven Lee urged fishermen to pursue state-level regulatory changes in Sacramento to adjust seasons if possible.

Details of the relief: Port staff said the six-month berth waiver would likely cover approximately 36 fishers and that the three-month reduction for processors would likely cover about 17 processors. Staff estimated the port’s six-month revenue loss from vessel berth waivers at about $41,392.26 and three-month processor rent relief at about $554,935, for a combined impact of roughly $596,327.26.

Commission discussion and next steps: Commissioners broadly supported the relief but frequently emphasized that it is short-term. Several commissioners urged the port to coordinate regionally and statewide, including working with other California ports, processors and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, to seek more durable solutions. President Gilman said the commission would pursue follow-up conversations with other ports and state-level partners, and noted the port’s limited financing flexibility as an enterprise department.

The vote: The commission adopted Resolution 25 52 by unanimous vote.