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Limited salmon season possible this year

Posted by: Maven on February 26, 2010 at 8:09 am

salmon boatFrom the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“The North Coast may have a salmon season for the first time in three years, but it could be so limited that few fishermen would find it financially worthwhile to go out.

The California Department of Fish and Game released forecasts Thursday for the number of chinook salmon that it expects to return this fall to the Central Valley, a key component in whether commercial fishing will be allowed this year. The forecast is for more fish — 65,000 — over the threshold set by the state before it allows a commercial fishing season.

However, for the 300 California trawlers plus the out-of-state boats, that may be too few to pay the costs of even venturing out, fishermen said. And after missing the mark badly on this year’s forecast, there are questions on how accurate the numbers are.

“From the feedback I get, things are very bleak,” said Dave Bitts, a Eureka fisherman who advises the Pacific Fishery Management Council. “I will do everything that I can to offer a season with what’s available.” … “

Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat by clicking here.

The San Francisco Chronicle covered the story like this:

“A surprisingly optimistic projection Thursday that nearly 250,000 salmon will spawn in the Sacramento River system next fall has created a dilemma for fishermen who crave the opportunity to reel in some chinook after a two-year fishing ban: They’re worried that they might contribute to the demise of the species.

The National Marine Fisheries Service predicted that 245,483 fall run chinook salmon will spawn in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems later this year, opening the door to the possibility that ocean fishing of the chinook will be allowed in California and Oregon.

The forecast came as a surprise given that the lowest number of chinook salmon in recorded history made their way up the Central Valley river system last fall, a situation that fisheries experts called an environmental and economic catastrophe. … “

Read more of this story from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.

February 26, 2010 · Filed Under Wildlife & Endangered Species

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