Better West Coast salmon season likely

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s chinook salmon fishery is likely to be opened this year after two straight closed fishing seasons — but with restrictions, according to recommendations released Thursday by a federal panel.

Fishermen in Oregon and Washington are poised to have an even better chinook season this because fish are more abundant there.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council approved three options that outline where West Coast fishermen might be allowed to cast their lines and nets beginning this spring.

There remains a chance that California’s salmon fishery could be closed altogether when the council issues its final decision during a meeting in Oregon next month. However, Council chairman David Ortmann called that possibility unlikely.

“Compared to the last two years, there’s going to be more fishermen back on the water,” Ortmann said after the vote.

If fishing for Sacramento River fall-run chinook salmon is allowed off California’s coast, it would be limited for both commercial and recreational boats. Restrictions on when and where fishermen could travel are proposed because of concern about the decline in chinook over the past three years.

Those restrictions worry some California commercial fishermen, who said they might not be able to make a good living if they can’t be out on the water all summer. For example, fishing wouldn’t be allowed in June when salmon catches are typically high.

“What is being offered is not really what I consider a meaningful season,” said Duncan MacLean, a commercial fisherman based in Half Moon Bay. “Without some assistance, it’s going to be a real tough go.”

Salmon fishing has been closed the last two years off California’s coast, leaving West Coast fishermen with the second-worst year on record.

Even so, commercial and recreational salmon fishing contributed $17 million to the West Coast economy in 2009, according to the council. That was more than twice the amount in 2008 when fishing was also restricted in Oregon.

Congress has allocated $170 million in disaster relief the last two years to help fishing communities in California, Oregon and Washington hurt by the losses.

The prospect for a salmon season in California comes after federal biologists predicted more fall-run chinook will return to the Sacramento River and its tributaries this year. Estimates indicate 245,000 fall-run chinook could return, many more than the last three years and above federal conservation goals designed to protect the species.

Last year, just 39,500 returned, a record low.

Under the best-case scenario, most of the California coastline could be open to recreational fishermen between April and mid-November. A more restricted season would leave fishermen docked in May and June in central and southern California when more salmon are in the area, according to the recommendations.

“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the ocean and sharing some of the bounty with my family and friends,” said Marc Gorelink, a recreational fisherman from El Cerrito, Calif.

The council, which has been meeting all week in Sacramento, faced criticism by California officials that its salmon predictions for the Sacramento River were too optimistic.

Last year, for example, the council predicted 122,000 chinook would return to the river, when only a third of that number actually did. That was one of the reasons the council agreed to weigh shutting the season down this year, even though it appears a remote possibility.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.