SEATAC, Wash. (AP) -- West Coast fisheries managers have voted to cancel all commercial salmon fishing off the California and Oregon coasts this year.

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Fishing for salmon off the Oregon coast.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski on Thursday declared a statewide state of emergency. That releases state and federal funds to help families affected by the cancellation.

“This will be devastating to the communities and families on the coast that rely on salmon fishing for their livelihood,” Kulongoski said. 

In addition to the agencies helping out, Kulongoski said he would pull $500,000 from a strategic reserve fund to help.

Scientists and government officials are expecting this year's West Coast salmon season to be one of the worst in history.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council decided Thursday to allow some limited recreational coho fishing on holiday weekends off the Oregon Coast.

Although commercial salmon fishing off the Washington coast is scheduled to begin May 1, fisheries managers do not predict a good season off either the north or south Pacific coasts.