The outlook for ocean salmon fisheries reflects poor coho forecasts, the worst since the 1990s.
JEFFREY P. MAYOR; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com Published: March 20th, 2008 01:00 AM | Updated: March 20th, 2008 07:13 AM
As expected, Washington salmon fishermen can expect a lean ocean fishing season this year following the lowest Columbia River coho forecast in a decade. That was the projection released Friday by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The low expectations for Columbia River wild and hatchery coho mirror significantly reduced salmon projections to many other areas of the West Coast, said Phil Anderson, deputy director of the department. The poor coho runs also overshadow a slight increase in hatchery chinook returns that's forecast for portions of Washington.
The low expectations for Columbia River wild and hatchery coho mirror significantly reduced salmon projections to many other areas of the West Coast, said Phil Anderson, deputy director of the department. The poor coho runs also overshadow a slight increase in hatchery chinook returns that's forecast for portions of Washington.
The low coho returns, along with restrictions needed to protect both coho and chinook salmon populations listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, will severely limit ocean salmon fisheries this year.
"We haven't seen a Columbia River coho salmon forecast this low since the late '90s," he said. "Poor ocean conditions that persisted off the West Coast in 2005 and 2006 appear to be the primary factor in the dramatic decline of Columbia River coho, as well as chinook salmon originating from central Oregon and California river systems."
This year's Columbia River coho salmon return is expected to total about 196,000 fish, nearly 266,000 fewer salmon than last year's actual run.
Ocean fishing options for chinook and coho salmon fisheries were adopted Friday by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its meeting in Sacramento, Calif. The council, which establishes fishing seasons in ocean water three to 200 miles off the Pacific coast, is expected to adopt final ocean fishing harvest levels from among the options at its April 6-11 meeting in SeaTac.
This year's recreational ocean harvest options are:
• 22,500 chinook and 21,000 coho.
• 17,500 chinook and 21,000 coho.
• 12,500 chinook and 12,600 coho.
Last year, the council adopted quotas of 16,250 chinook salmon and 117,600 coho.
Although Columbia River hatchery chinook forecasts are up, the ocean options for chinook are similar to those proposed last year, said Anderson. Those options, which are at near-record low levels, reflect the need to protect wild Columbia River chinook salmon, he said.
"To meet conservation objectives, most salmon fisheries in Washington's waters will be even more restricted this year," Anderson said. "There are some opportunities to craft fisheries that target healthy hatchery stocks, and fishery managers will work with the public in the next couple of weeks to develop those fisheries."
Chinook and coho quotas approved by the council will be part of a comprehensive 2008 salmon fishing package, which includes marine and freshwater fisheries throughout Puget Sound, the Columbia River and Washington's coastal areas. State and tribal co-managers are currently developing those fisheries.
The co-managers will complete the final 2008 salmon fisheries package in conjunction with the council process during its April meeting.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure
California, oregon face fishing bans
There could be no salmon fishing off southern Oregon and California this season. The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Friday adopted three options for the 2008 salmon season off the West Coast, two of which will leave California and most of Oregon without a fishing season.
"The status of Sacramento fall chinook has suddenly collapsed to an unprecedented low level," said Donald Hansen, council chairman.
The return of fall run chinook to the Sacramento River, which affects the fishery primarily in California and southern Oregon, is projected to be 58,200 under the option with all salmon fishing closed, and 52,400 under the option that allows small fisheries in specific areas. The minimum conservation goal is 122,000 to 180,000 spawning adult salmon. As recently as 2002, 775,000 adults returned to spawn.
For coastal waters off Oregon, south of Cape Falcon, and California to the U.S.-Mexico border, the options for commercial and recreational fishing range from no salmon fishing for chinook or coho, to allowing a small fishery of coho off central Oregon and short seasons in selected areas for chinook. As recently as 2003, fishermen caught as many as 944,000 chinook and 84,000 coho.
The News Tribune
To learn more
Information about Washington's salmon-season setting process, as well as a schedule of public meetings and salmon run-size forecasts, can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon. Possible season dates
Here are the possible recreational ocean salmon fishing seasons being considered by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Option 1: A chinook-only season would run May 24 to June 30 (6,000 chinook quota for Areas 2-4 only) with a one-fish daily limit. Neah Bay and La Push would be open daily, with Westport open Sundays to Thursdays. Ilwaco would be open daily May 24 to June 28, with a separate summer chinook quota.
Neah Bay, La Push and Westport would open for chinook and coho July 1 and Ilwaco would open June 29, all with a two-fish daily limit.
Option 2: All four ports would open for a chinook-only fishing season daily from May 25 to June 15 (3,500 chinook quota) with a one-fish daily limit. Neah Bay-La Push would open for chinook and coho July 1, Westport would start June 16, and Ilwaco would open June 29, all with a two-fish daily limit.
Option 3: Neah Bay-La Push would open for chinook and coho July 8, Westport on June 8, with possible closing date on Sept. 13. Ilwaco would open July 13 and possibly end Sept. 30. All areas would have a two-fish daily limit.
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