Looks like we will be Salmon fishing through Labor-day. Starting May one 24 inch long and no fishing for Salmon Tuesday and Wednesday. I copied and here it is all of the West Coast.
Pacific Fishery Management Council NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Contact: Ms. Jennifer Gilden, Communications Officer, 503‐820‐2280
Dr. Donald McIsaac, Executive Director, 503‐820‐2280
SALMON SEASONS OPENED COASTWIDE FOR FIRST TIME IN
THREE YEARS
PORTLAND, Or – The Pacific Fishery Management Council today adopted a set of
salmon seasons that provides both recreational and commercial opportunities
coastwide for the first time since 2007.
The recommendation will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service for
approval by May 1, 2010.
“While modest at best in historical terms, this season represents a substantial
improvement over the seasons in California and Oregon in the last two years. It will be
good to have fishermen back on the water,” said Council chairman Dave Ortmann.
North of Cape Falcon
Fisheries north of Cape Falcon (near Nehalem in northern Oregon) depend largely on
Columbia River stocks. Columbia River fall Chinook returns in 2009 were mostly above
average, although the North Lewis River wild return was slightly less than the
management objective of 5,700 adults. Forecasts for 2010 were generally above average,
including a record high for the Spring Creek Hatchery stock. Columbia River hatchery
coho returning to the river mouth were the highest since 2001. However, the 2010
forecast is substantially lower than in 2009.
North of Cape Falcon, there is an overall non‐Indian total allowable catch of 117,000
Chinook and 80,000 marked hatchery coho.
Recreational Fisheries
The recreational Chinook season north of Cape Falcon begins June 12 and ends June 30
or when 12,000 marked Chinook are caught. The Chinook season will be open seven
days per week, two fish per day, with a 24‐inch total length minimum size limit.
All salmon seasons are divided into four sub‐areas. Seasons begin July 1 (or July 4 in the
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Westport sub‐area) and end in mid‐ to late‐September. For details, please see the season
descriptions on the Council website at
http://www.pcouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/PFMC_Adopted_Salmon_Regs.pdf.
Commercial Fisheries
Non‐Indian ocean commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon include traditional
Chinook seasons in the May‐June timeframe and all‐salmon seasons in the July‐to‐
September timeframe. The Chinook quota of 56,000 is more than twice the 2009 quota.
The coho quota of 13,000 is about one‐third of the 2009 quota.
Tribal ocean fisheries north of Cape Falcon are similar to recent years, although coho
quotas are also much smaller than in 2009.
South of Cape Falcon
Fisheries south of Cape Falcon are supported by Sacramento River fall Chinook. In 2008
and 2009, poor Sacramento returns led to the largest fishery closure on record. In 2009,
adult spawning escapement for Sacramento River fall Chinook failed to meet the
escapement goal1 (122,000‐180,000 adults) for the third year in a row, leading to the
formal declaration of an overfishing concern (although fishing is not considered one of
the major causes of the stock’s decline). The forecast for the Sacramento Index of
ocean abundance in 2010 is 245,500 adults, which provides adequate numbers for
limited fisheries.
The Klamath River fall Chinook forecast for 2010 is sufficient to allow some fishing
opportunity. The Oregon Coast natural coho forecast in 2010 is about 70 percent of last
year’s forecast, but still above the 15 year average.
Recreational Fisheries
Recreational fisheries in Oregon will allow Chinook retention and run from Memorial
Day through Labor Day weekends. There will also be a concurrent mark‐selective coho
fishery from starting June 26 and ending either September 6 or when the quota of 26,000
is reached.
Recreational fisheries in California are for Chinook only and run from Memorial Day
through Labor Day weekends in the Eureka/Crescent City area, and from April 3 to
September 6 in areas further south; however, fishing will be closed on Tuesday and
Wednesday south of Point Arena. The minimum size limit will be 24 inches for Chinook
coastwide.
1 The escapement goal, or conservation objective, is the optimal number of adult fish returning to spawn
in order to maximize the production of the stock.
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Commercial Fisheries
Commercial fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt., Oregon will be open from May
1 through August 25 with some three‐day‐a‐week closures in July. Fisheries in the
Humbug Mt. to California border area will be open in May, July and August, with the
July and August fisheries on quotas of 1,500 Chinook for each month.
Commercial fisheries in California are very limited, but will include two four‐day
openers in July south of Point Arena, and additional quota fisheries in the Fort Bragg
area during late July and August.
California and Oregon fisheries also include a catch‐and‐release genetic study during
closed periods.
Process
The Council developed the management measures after several weeks spent reviewing
three season options. The review process included input by federal and state fishery
scientists, fishing industry members, public testimony, and three public hearings in
coastal communities. The Council received additional scientific information and took
public testimony before taking final action. The decision will be forwarded to the
National Marine Fisheries Service for approval and implementation into federal
regulations.
In addition, the coastal states will decide on compatible freshwater fishery regulations
at their respective Commission hearings.
Council Role
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management
councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of
1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3‐200 miles offshore of the United States of
America coastline. The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries
off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
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On the Web
Pacific Fishery Management Council:
http://www.pcouncil.org Link to detailed management measures:
http://www.pcouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/PFMC_Adopted_Salmon_Regs.pdf
Geographical points used in salmon management:
http://www.pcouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/geosalmon.pdf
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