Pacific Fishery Management Council NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ms. Jennifer Gilden, Communications Officer, 503-820-2280
Dr. Donald McIsaac, Executive Director, 503-820-2280
RECORD LOW SALMON FISHERIES ADOPTED
SEATTLE, Wash – The Pacific Fishery Management Council today adopted the
most restrictive salmon fisheries in the history for the West Coast, in
response to the unprecedented collapse of Sacramento River fall Chinook
and the exceptionally poor status of coho salmon from Oregon and
Washington. The recommendation will be forwarded to the National Marine
Fisheries Service for approval by May 1, 2008.
“This is a disaster for West Coast salmon fisheries, under any
standard,” said Council chairman Don Hansen. “There will be a huge
impact on the people who fish for a living, those who eat wild-caught
king salmon, those who enjoy recreational fishing, and the businesses
and coastal communities dependent on these fisheries.”
The Council adopted a complete closure of commercial and sport Chinook
fisheries off California and most of Oregon and allowed only a 9,000
fishery for hatchery coho only off Central Oregon. Salmon fisheries off
California and Oregon typically have been large – involving seasons that
span from May 1 to October 31 and averaged over 800,000 Chinook caught
per year from 2000 to 2005.
“The reason for the sudden decline of Sacramento River fish is a mystery
at this time,” said Council Executive Director Don McIsaac. “The only
thing that can be done in the short term is to cut back the commercial
and recreational fishing seasons to protect the remaining fish. The
longer-term solution will involve a wide variety of people, agencies,
and organizations. But for now, unfortunately, those involved in the
salmon fisheries are paying the price.”
Fisheries north of Cape Falcon will also be severely restricted.
Although Chinook quotas in this area are similar to 2007 and Chinook
stocks are generally more abundant, depressed natural coho stocks are
constraining access of commercial fisheries to Chinook stocks. Sport
fisheries, many of which depend primarily on coho, are even more
restricted. Coho quotas are less than 20 percent of the 2007 season for
non-Indian fisheries and about 50 percent of 2007 levels for
treaty-Indian fisheries.
Background
The closures south of Cape Falcon, in northern Oregon, are due to a
sudden, unprecedented decline in the number of Sacramento River fall
Chinook returning to the river this year. The stock is the driver of
commercial and recreational salmon fisheries off California and most of
Oregon. The minimum conservation goal for Sacramento fall Chinook is
122,000 – 180,000 spawning adult salmon (this is the number of salmon
needed to return to the river to maintain the health of the run). As
recently as 2002, 775,000 adults returned to spawn. This year, even with
all ocean salmon fishing closures, the return of fall run Chinook to the
Sacramento is projected to be only 54,000.
Social and Economic Impacts
“The salmon fishing culture that has been a cornerstone of the coastal
communities has reached a low ebb point in 2008 for the collective three
West Coast states,” said Mark Cedergreen, Council Vice Chairman. “This
was the responsible thing to do, but it will hurt, particularly south of
Cape Falcon, Oregon.”
The economic implications of the low abundance of Sacramento River fall
Chinook salmon will be substantial for commercial, recreational, marine
and freshwater fisheries. In California and Oregon south of Cape Falcon,
where Sacramento fish stocks have the biggest impact, the commercial and
recreational salmon fishery had an average economic value of $103
million per year between 1979 and 2004. From 2001 to 2005, average
economic impact to communities was $61 million ($40 million in the
commercial fishery and $21 million in the recreational fishery).
The record low seasons are devastating news to beleaguered salmon fleets
on the west coast. California and Oregon ocean salmon fisheries are
still recovering from a poor fishing season in 2005 and a disastrous one
in 2006, when Klamath River fall Chinook returns were below their
spawning escapement goal. The catch of salmon in 2007 in these areas was
also well below average, as the first effects of the Sacramento River
fall Chinook stock collapse was felt.
Causes
The reason for the sudden collapse of the Sacramento fall Chinook stock
is not readily apparent, although both natural and hatchery-produced
fish have been similarly affected. However, it is clear that overfishing
did not cause the depressed condition, as the parent spawning
populations were all above the goal. The National Marine Fisheries
Service has suggested ocean temperature changes, and a resulting lack of
upwelling, as a possible cause of the sudden decline. Many biologists
believe a combination of human-caused and natural factors will
ultimately explain the collapse, including both marine conditions and
freshwater factors such as in-stream water withdrawals, habitat
alterations, dam operations, construction, pollution, and changes in
hatchery operations.
The Council has requested a multi-agency task force led by the National
Marine Fisheries Service’s West Coast Science Centers to research about
50 potential causative factors and report back to the Council at the
September meeting in Boise, Idaho.
Process
The Council reached this decision after several weeks spent reviewing
three season options. The review process included input by federal and
state fishery scientists, 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. The decision will be forwarded to the National
Marine Fisheries Service for approval and implementation into federal
regulations.
In addition, the coastal states will decide on compatible freshwater
fishery regulations at their respective Commission hearings.
Press Packet and Briefing Materials Available
A press packet with contacts, background information, a map of affected
areas, and acronyms is available on the Council website at
Council Role
The Pacific Fishery Management Council 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 3-200 miles
offshore of the United States of America coastline. The Pacific Council
recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of
California, Oregon, and Washington.
On the Web
Options for 2008 salmon management:
Schedule of hearings:
Geographical points used in salmon management:
Online press packet:
