The Pacific Fisheries Management Council has instituted this mandate and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) simply follows. Right now, both the CDFG and the PFMC are holding hearings regarding any possible return of the salmon fishery. The early news, however, is that it simply does not look good. Data provided by PFMC states that fewer than 40,000 adults returned to the Sacramento River, which is the lowest number of salmon since counting began in the 1970s.
PFMC study said that once the fish hit the Sacramento River, they eventually divide to go to their birthplaces at the American River, Feather River or upper Sacramento River hatcheries. The PFMC has set a benchmark of 122,000 to 180,000 fish as a standard for a healthy salmon population. Anything less than that, the fish are considered over-fished.
Since the salmon numbers are continue to appear to be on the decline, and no specific reason has yet or can be pinpointed. So there is little hope for an ocean salmon fishery again in 2010 and again, there will be essentially no salmon fishing in local rivers.
