[env-trinity] CBB: Improved Sacramento River Chinook Allow First Major California, Oregon Ocean Fishery Since 2007

[Sari Sommarstrom]

THE COLUMBIA BASIN BULLETIN: Weekly Fish and Wildlife News
www.cbbulletin.com
April 15, 2011 - Issue No. 571

* Improved Sacramento River Chinook Allow First Major California, 
Oregon Ocean Fishery Since 2007

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Wednesday adopted a set of 
ocean salmon seasons that it says provides recreational and 
commercial opportunities up and down the West Coast while still 
achieving conservation goals for a multitude of individual salmon 
stocks and providing for escapement for freshwater fisheries.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service for approval by May 1.

"We are pleased to see that Sacramento River fall chinook salmon have 
rebounded nicely for California and Oregon fisheries, and we will 
continue to enjoy good salmon opportunities off the Washington coast 
this summer," said Council Chairman Mark Cedergreen.

--North of Cape Falcon

Washington and northern Oregon fisheries north of Cape Falcon (near 
Manzanita in northern Oregon) depend largely on Columbia River 
stocks. Columbia River fall chinook returns in 2010 were above 
average, and 2011 forecasts are similar. Columbia River hatchery coho 
returns are below average and less than 2010 returns, but Washington 
coastal and Puget Sound stocks are above average.

North of Cape Falcon, there is an overall non-Indian total allowable 
catch of 64,600 chinook and 80,000 marked hatchery coho.

A mark-selective recreational chinook season north of Cape Falcon 
begins June 18 and ends June 25 or when 4,800 marked chinook have 
been 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 north of Falcon are divided into four sub-areas. 
Seasons begin June 26 and end in mid- to late-September.

For details, please see the season descriptions on the Council
website at www.pcouncil.org

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 
30,900 is lower than the 2010 quota of 56,000. The coho quota of 
12,800 is similar to 2010's quota of 11,800.

Tribal ocean fisheries north of Cape Falcon are similar to recent 
years, although chinook quotas are lower than in 2010.

-- California and Oregon South of Cape Falcon

Greatly improved abundance of Sacramento River fall chinook will fuel 
the first substantial ocean salmon fisheries off California and 
Oregon since 2007. Fisheries south of Cape Falcon are supported by 
Sacramento River fall chinook.

In 2008 and 2009, poor Sacramento returns led to the largest ocean 
salmon fishery closure on record.

The abundance forecast of Sacramento River fall chinook in 2011 is 
730,000, far above the number needed for optimum spawning this fall 
(122,000-180,000 fish).

The Klamath River fall chinook forecast for 2011 is near normal. The 
Oregon Coast natural coho forecast in 2011 is about 250,000, well 
above the 15 year average.

Recreational fisheries in southern Oregon and California are for 
chinook only and run from May 14 through Labor Day weekend in the 
Brookings/Eureka/Crescent City area, and from April 2 to Oct. 30 or 
Sept. 18 in areas further south. The minimum size limit will be 24 
inches for chinook coastwide.

Recreational fisheries in central Oregon will allow chinook retention 
and run from March 15 through Sept. 30. Coho fisheries consist of a 
mark-selective coho quota fishery that will open in early July and a 
non‐mark selective coho quota fishery in early September.

Commercial fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain., Ore., will 
be open from April 15 through July 9, July 17 through Aug. 31, and 
during the month of October. Humbug Mountain is located about six 
miles south of Port Orford.

Fisheries in the Humbug Mountain to California border area will be 
open in May, June, July, and August, with chinook quotas in June 
(1,500), July (1,200), and August (1,000). Fisheries from the 
California border to Humboldt South Jetty will be open July 
2‐20 with a 1,400 chinook quota and August 1-15 with a 1,000 
chinook quota.

Between Horse Mountain and Point Arena (in the Fort Bragg area), 
commercial chinook salmon fisheries will be open July 23-27, July 
29-August 29, and Sept. 1-30,
seven days per week.

In the area from Point Arena to Point Sur (Monterey), the season will 
be open May 1-31; June 25-July 5; July 9-27 (Saturday to Wednesday); 
July 29-Aug. 29; and during the entire month of September. From Point 
Sur to the Mexico border, the chinook season will be open as above, 
plus June 1-24 but closed in September. There will also be a season 
from Point Reyes to Point San Pedro, open Monday to Friday October 3-14.

The Council developed the management measures after several weeks 
spent reviewing three season alternatives. The review process 
included input by federal and state fishery scientists and 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.

In addition, the coastal states will decide on compatible freshwater 
fishery regulations at their respective commission hearings.

PFMC 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 miles offshore of the U.S. 
coastline. The Pacific Council recommends management measures for 
fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.

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