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Salmon Fishing Season Canceled in California

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 April 2008, 16:00 CDT

In a decision they called "tragic" and "painful," state wildlife officials Tuesday reluctantly banned fishing for salmon in California coastal waters this year.

The unanimous decision by the California Fish and Game Commission closes both commercial and recreational fishing in state coastal waters, which extend out three miles from shore. It brings California into line with a vote last week in Seattle by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which banned salmon fishing in federal waters reaching out 200 miles.

The commission delayed a vote on salmon-fishing restrictions in Central Valley rivers until its May 9 meeting. But it looks very likely that the rivers also will be closed to salmon fishing.

Salmon fishing has never been closed completely along the entire California coast. But fisheries experts believe the closures are required to ensure survival of the Central Valley fall-run chinook population. The species is the backbone of the Pacific Coast's salmon fishery and is expected to see record-low spawning numbers this fall for reasons still not fully understood.

Commission Chairman Richard Rogers said the closures, together with the state's broader economic woes, pose a "perfect storm" of problems that may drive many fishing businesses out of existence. The state predicts a $255 million economic impact and a loss of 2,263 jobs as a result of the closures.

"That's one of the most painful votes I think we've ever taken," Rogers said. "I'm very sorry we had to do that."

Source: The Sacramento Bee

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