As the collapse of the Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon population rises the commercial and recreational fishermen face another closed salmon fishing season in ocean waters off California and most of Oregon. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), a federal body that sets fishing regulations for ocean fisheries, on March 12 adopted three public review options for the 2009 salmon season off the West Coast.
It is said that the fisheries in the north improved as Chinook and coho stocks rebounded, fisheries in the south will be closed or very limited because of the dramatic decline of Sacramento River Chinooks. Dr. Donald McIsaac, executive director of the PMFC, told that California ocean sport fishing options range from entirely closed to 10 open days in August and September in the Eureka/Crescent City area.
Jim Martin, West Coast Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, opined that the 10 open day option does not require an “emergency rule” from the U.S. Commerce Department and there is a “real good chance” it will be approved. Mindy McIntyre of the Planning and Conservation League, said that they can save our California salmon by being more reasonable and innovative with our water use. She said the salmon decline is a call to action to “quickly develop recycled water, increase water use efficiency and clean up streams and waterways.”
