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<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Dan Bacher
[mailto:danielbacher@fishsniffer.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, March 16, 2006
8:06 AM<br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Good Morning</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>I was at the Legislative Forum at
the State Capitol yesterday when I got this news from DFG Director Ryan
Broddrick and Deputy Director Sonke Mastrup. The ocean salmon season from Point
Arena to Point Sur will open as planned in state waters - 3 miles and less - on
April 1. However, fishing in federal waters - beyond the 3 mile line - will
remain closed.</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Please forward this to get the
word out. Broddrick and Mastrup said the state's regulatory process prohibits
the state from enforcing the closure requested by the Bush administration in
state water waters on April 1 because the opener is already in state
regulations booklets and any change has to go through the California Fish and
Game Commission and then the State Office of Administrative Law. The Commission
doesn't meet until April 6-7 - both days when the PFMC is meeting. The PFMC is
planning to make a final recommendation on salmon options on April 7, probably
after the Commission meeting is already over.</span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>News Release: For Immediate
Release Mar. 15, 2006 </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>DFG Will Open Ocean Recreational
Fishing Season April 1 </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Pacific Fisheries Management
Council Decision Enacts Limitations </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Contacts: Scott Barrow, DFG Senior
Biologist, (916) 651-7670; </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Steve Martarano, DFG Office of
Communications, (916) 654-5866 </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The California Department of Fish
and Game (DFG) will open the state’s recreational fishery between Point Arena
and Point Sur as scheduled on April 1. However, a recent decision by the Ocean
Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) closed the state’s commercial salmon
fisheries and also limits the recreational season. The PFMC is scheduled to
make final recommendations that could impose further restrictions April 3-7
during federal meetings in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:place></st1:City>. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>“The bottom line is we need to
ensure healthy stocks in the future,” said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick.
“Returns over the past three years have shown low numbers of naturally spawning
Klamath River Chinook salmon.” </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Following the PFMC federal action
March 10, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>’s
commercial fishing regulations will automatically conform, closing the state’s
commercial salmon fishery. The PFMC also closed the sport fishery in federal
waters between Point Arena (below Fort Bragg) and Point Sur (south of
Monterey), however, because the PFMC is not set to make the final
recommendations until the federal meetings, California’s sport fishery in state
waters (shore to three miles) will open as scheduled April 1. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The PFMC decision is subject to
action by the California Fish and Game Commission, whose jurisdiction covers
the sport salmon fishery in state waters. The Commission may consider an
in-season emergency closing of the Central California sport fisheries to
conform with federal action during its upcoming meeting April 7 in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Monterey</st1:place></st1:City>. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The PFMC rulings were based on
updated spawning numbers, and are intended to limit any further impacts to
Klamath fall Chinook salmon off the entire West Coast. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Other details of note: </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Recreational </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>For Northern California, the
recreational salmon fishery between <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Horse</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Mountain</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> (above Shelter
Cove) and Point Arena, which opened in February, will remain open in federal
and state waters. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>In <st1:place w:st="on">Southern
California</st1:place>, the recreational salmon fishery below Point Sur will
open on April 1 in federal and state waters. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Commercial </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span
class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>California</span></font></span></st1:place></st1:State><span
class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>’s commercial fishery was previously scheduled to open for
the season on March 15. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The emergency closure of the
commercial fishery is in effect for all ocean waters from Point Sur north to
the California-Oregon border, and includes more than 1,500 commercial boats
(trollers) permitted through the DFG. This fishery will remain closed until
further in-season review and notice by the PFMC. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The National Marine Fishery Service
is considering federal disaster relief funding for West Coast salmon-related
fishing businesses impacted by the commercial closures. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>’s salmon resource (commercial and
sport) is valued between $44 million (PFMC estimate) and $150 million (industry
estimate). </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Alternatives to allow commercial
and recreational fishing for healthy <st1:place w:st="on">Central Valley</st1:place>
stocks that demonstrate no impact to Klamath stocks may be considered by the
PFMC as well as by the Fish and Game Commission at their upcoming meetings, said
Scott Barrow, a DFG senior biologist. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Public comments concerning both <st1:State
w:st="on">California</st1:State>’s commercial and recreational salmon fisheries
will be accepted at a public hearing scheduled for March 28 at the Flamingo
Hotel in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa Rosa</st1:place></st1:City>.
The PFMC will also accept public comments for the 2006 season at its April 3-7
meeting at the Doubletree Hotel in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:place></st1:City>. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>“In summary at this point, state
and federal waters are closed to commercial fishing; sport fishing is closed in
federal waters between Point Arena and Point Sur; and the state waters between
Point Arena and Point Sur will open on April 1 while the Commission considers
options during its upcoming meeting in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Monterey</st1:place></st1:City>,”
Barrow said. “The sport fishing in federal and state waters for the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Fort</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bragg</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>
area will remain open and below Point Sur will open on April 1.” </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>For additional information on the
PFMC ruling and up-coming meetings, log on to <a href="http://www.pcouncil.org">www.pcouncil.org</a>
or call the Ocean Salmon Hotline at 1-800-662-9825. To obtain a copy of the
PFMC press release on the closures and other emergency regulations affecting
the West Coast, log on to <a
href="http://www.pcouncil.org/newsreleases/pr031306_sal.pdf">www.pcouncil.org/newsreleases/pr031306_sal.pdf</a>. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>For information on <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>’s salmon
fisheries in state waters, log on to <a
href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/oceansalmon.html#recreational">www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/oceansalmon.html#recreational</a>
or call the Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429. </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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