The Columbian River Compact has approved a 16-hour commercial fishing period for spring chinook salmon in the Columbia River that starts from 7 a.m. through 11 p.m. on Monday 7th April between the west Hayden Island power lines and Beacon Rock. Robin Ehlke of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expressed that the decision would allow the commercial fleet is projected to catch about 2,500 spring salmon.
It means the commercial catch would be nearly 6,000 chinook including the last week’s catch. Jim Wells, president of Salmon For All, a commercial group based in Astoria, Ore, said that last week about 30 boats participated in the commercial fishery. He added that this week the number was double but they were cautious. Bruce Jim of the Warm Springs tribe informed that only 552 spring chinook had passed Bonneville Dam through Sunday, and the tribes only have caught seven for ceremonial purposes.
According to Ehlke this is the fourth consecutive year in which the spring chinook counts at Bonneville Dam have been later than normal. She added that cold water, low stream flows and an abundance of marine mammals might be contributing to the delay. Les Clark, a commercial fisherman from Chinook, told that during the catch period the spring run looks strong, and the fish are fetching a high price.
