>>>> FYI<<<<
California coast salmon fishing restored to normal
Posted at 08:24 AM on Tuesday, Mar. 15, 2011
By Matt Weiser -
[email protected] Share
Feds to loosen restrictions on salmon fishing
Pacific Coast salmon fishermen are gearing up for what's predicted to be a robust fishing season after enduring restrictions and closures in the past few years of precipitous salmon declines off the California coast.
Huge jump in Calif salmon predicted for 2011
California could see a return to a full-length coastal salmon fishing season this year with biologists forecasting a tripling of the fish's ocean population, state fish and wildlife officials said Tuesday.
Strong returns of chinook salmon should give Oregon commercial fishermen their first decent season in years, but declining runs of coho from Columbia River hatcheries and worries over wild coastal fish mean charter boats and sports anglers can expect another mediocre year.
Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.
BEST BETS
Recreational salmon fishing on the California coast will return to normal April 2 following a vote Monday by the California Fish and Game Commission.
The vote marks the first time since 2007 that the state's primary ocean salmon sportfishing areas will see normal seasons.
Both commercial and recreational fishing have been closed or sharply curtailed the past three years by a steep decline in the Sacramento River fall chinook species, typically the most abundant on the coast.
The commission's unanimous vote permits recreational salmon fishing, starting April 2, in state waters roughly between Cape Mendocino and Point Sur. State waters extend out three miles from shore.
The vote took place as an emergency action in order to coincide with a similar move by the Pacific Fishery Management Council last week that affects federal waters. Had the commission waited until its next regular meeting on April 6, anglers would not have been able to catch salmon in state waters on opening weekend.
Call The Bee's Matt Weiser, (916) 321-1264. Follow him on Twitter @matt_weiser. Marija Vojkovich, marine region supervisor at the state Department of Fish and Game, said the population of Central Valley chinook salmon now in the ocean is estimated at 730,000 fish.
"The projections for the season are very strong compared to the last few years," Vojkovich said.
Opening weekend could produce $8.2 million in economic benefits for businesses serving anglers at ports in Fort Bragg, San Francisco and Monterey, Vojkovich said, adding that the closures in recent years have cost the industry an estimated $707 million.
"It means we get to go fishing again, and we're excited about that," said George Osborn, a lobbyist for the Coastside Fishing Club, which represents more than 10,000 recreational anglers in California.
The action does not affect commercial fishing or in-river recreational fishing for salmon. These fisheries typically open later and will be discussed at a future commission meeting.