NEWPORT, OR (KPTV/AP) -
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden says the tsunami debris heading toward the shore is a danger to ships going to and from the Pacific Coast.
Wyden and Rep. Kurt Schrader went to Agate Beach Saturday to take a look at the Japanese dock that washed up weeks ago, and to discuss options for cleaning up and tracking other debris.
Wyden said at a town hall meeting that one issue that must be addressed is the safety risk for those in the shipping and fishing industries.
Fisherman Mark Schneider said, "We see lots of small debris. There's Styrofoam floating around. That doesn't worry us too much. The fish net floats aren't too bad. But it's the refrigerators and things like that."
It's those larger items that fishermen like Schneider and others worry about.
There are some who fish at night and said it's nearly impossible to see what's ahead in the water.
Many are concerned that if they hit large debris it will cause them to sink.
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