American River Wildlife News
Salmon Season Prospects Dim
There won't be much of a salmon season for fishermen off the California coast for the second year in a row.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted three options Thursday for this year's ocean salmon season at a meeting in Seattle. The options virtually shut down sport and commercial fishing off the coast of California to allow salmon to rebound, while offering limited commercial and sport salmon fishing in Oregon.
But there's good news for fishermen in Washington. The coho salmon runs, particularly Columbia River runs, appear to be some of the best in years, which could give commercial and sport fisherman a much-needed boost.
"Coming off last year's news, this is the best news we could've hoped to hear," said Butch Smith, owner of Coho Charters in Ilwaco, Wash., and chairman of the council's salmon advisory subpanel. "Even the worst option is great news."
The council will make a final decision at an April meeting in Millbrae, Calif., and forward it to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval before May 1.
Fishing seasons in California and Oregon were practically shut down in 2008 after a sudden drop in the fall Sacramento chinook run. Forecasts call for about twice as many salmon overall as last year, but the numbers are still low.
"It's marginally better, but not by much," said Peter Dygert, a fishery biologist with NOAA Fisheries Service.
More at the Sacramento Bee.
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March 6, 2007, 9:55 am -
Bruce
Here are even more reasons to oppose this boondoggle in my Auburn Dam Information Directory.
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February 25, 2007, 4:49 pm -
Bruce
The politicians and wealthy landowners who would profit from a dam project will never give up. We will need to remain vigilant to ensure that this porkbarrel project is never built.
Auburn Dam - High Costs and High Risks.