BAD WORDS, BAD WORDS, BAD WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Looks like there is not going to be a chance to fish for Kings offshore this year. Bad Words and other strong sentiments!!!

This is really disappointing. I could probably make some comments about the political issues that caused this, but rather than start a fury, will use discretion. Here's the link to the ODFW Page.

------------------------------------------------------
March, April ocean chinook salmon season closes


Date:

March 12 , 2008

Contact:

Brandon Ford (541) 867-4741
Fax: (541) 867-0311
CLARIFICATION: The Tillamook Spring Chinook Terminal Area fishery in the ocean off of Tillamook Bay is also closed this spring as part of the ocean angling closure announced March 12 (see news release below). “This terminal area fishery is regulated as part of the overall ocean season, and because the ocean is now closed so is the terminal area,” explained ODFW biologist Keith Braun.
NEWPORT – With northern California chinook salmon runs forecast to be at historic lows, the sport salmon season south of Cape Falcon scheduled for March 15 through April 30 has been closed.

“Chinook salmon forecasts for runs that contribute to ocean salmon fisheries off Oregon are estimated to be at very low levels,” said Eric Schindler, ocean salmon supervising biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Critically low numbers of fall chinook within the Sacramento River and a very low forecast for Klamath River three-year-old chinook head the list of problems facing salmon managers this year.”

The commercial ocean troll salmon fishery for all species except coho between Cape Falcon, Oregon and the Oregon/California Border that was scheduled to open for the period of March 15 through April 30 was also closed.

Both actions were by the National Marine Fisheries Service in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the State of Oregon, and fishery interests.

“This closure will allow fishery managers to better develop a range of fishing options for the 2008 ocean salmon seasons,” Schindler said. “The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Pacific Fishery Management Council are still considering options for fishing opportunity within this area that could start as early as April 15.”

A decision on any April seasons will be made at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting April 6-12.

[Sea Wolf]

This news release follows our


Pacific Fishery Management Council Abundance Report 2008 discussion on that thread.

Thanks for posting!

Joe.

[flapbreaker]

Yes, it's pretty depressing news. THe coastal communities are really gonna suffer on this one, especially since the economy was already in the tank.

[El and Bill]

For those with long (sad) memories the Atlantic Fishery suffered the same disaster some years ago.

[flapbreaker]

[El and Bill]

"Historic Atlantic salmon abundance in New England probably exceeded 30,000 returns annually. Overfishing and habitat destruction resulted in a severely depressed US population restricted to Maine and by 1950 with adult returns of just a few hundred fish in a handful of rivers. Hatchery-based stock rebuilding occurred from 1970-1990 reaching a peak of 5,624 fish in 1986. A widespread collapse in Atlantic salmon abundance started around 1990. In the past decade, US salmon returns have averaged 1,600 fish and returns in 2005 were 1,320 fish. All stocks are at very low levels, only the Penobscot River population is at 10% or greater of its conservation spawning escapement. Most populations are still dependent on hatchery production and current marine survival regimes are compromising the long-term prospects of even these hatchery-supplemented populations." - NOAA

Used to fish for salmon in Maine Rivers as a kid -- good memories my grandkids won't share - sad.

[marvin4239]

[

Our problem isn't from over fishing but from what I understand the water in the sacremento river is being diverted for other uses so even if more fish return to the river the water conditions are less than ideal (too warm) so it may not matter anyways. [/quote]

We have the same problem in Florida. There's a battle going on right now to devert water from the Saint Johns to service central Florida. This has been a long time coming. Every since Disney World was built in Orlando and other attractions growth has been crazy. The Saint Johns flows North toward the ocean but at times this changes. It's not uncommon to catch Salt Water fish Red Bass, Trout, flounder and other varieties 25 or more miles up the river. The business's in central Florida want to use the water from the Saint Johns and those in the north are fighting it. The same problem exists on the west coast. Altanta is taking water from the tributaries that feed the Apalachicola River and the salt water is backing up in it. Not only does this disturb the fishery but also the wildlife and plants. It's hard to believe that in a state surrounded by water the desalination plants can't be built economically. As far as over fishing net bands, size limits and daily catch limits are so stringent that you need an attorney and biologist in the boat with you to go fishing. Many long time recreational fishermen have simply quit fishing.

[Sea Wolf]

Water diversion has certainly been a major contributor here in California, but the problem is larger and more complex than that.

Lotsa' players in this game: commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, Native Americans, irrigation, water, and flood control agencies, farmers, sea lions, conservationists, federal and state fish and game agencies, and the list goes on.

The core problem is that every body wants their "fair share" of the salmon (or water), and points their fingers at the reasons why it's the other groups or environment's fault that the salmon are declining.

And no one seems to want to forgo that share to ensure the salmon survive in the long run.

Even efforts to conserve the limited stock remaining by setting tighter catch limits are seen as evil manipulations by fish and game departments.

It's hard to see much hope for the future unless all groups are willing to make equal and across the board sacrifices.

What is more, it looks like the wave of depletion and destruction is moving gradually north from California to Alaska.

I've certainly seen a huge difference in my lifetime.

I had a 75 year old gentleman, and fisherman friend of my dad, tell me in 1954 that at the turn of the century (1900), the salmon were so plentiful in the Sacramento River here in Redding that you could drive a wagon with a team of horses into the river and load it up with a pitchfork!

In that same 1954 year, there were still salmon in the creeks around Redding and a lot in the river, enough for everyone and plenty left over to spawn and renew the run.

Now we're facing a possible ban on all salmon fishing on the river and the entire California and Oregon coasts.

Will our grandkids experience with salmon be limited to looking at one preserved in a big glass pickling jar in a museum?

**********************************

No trying to provoke an argument, just giving my opinion of a very sad situation.

Joe.

[flapbreaker]

Sea wolf, I agree. I over simplified the problem. I basically was refering to the west coast closure being do to the sac. We have seen a dramatic drop in salmon runs of late. Although there always seems to be one species (coho or chinook) in one river or another that has a banner year while another run is suffering. Right now we are expecting a record chinook run up the columbia this spring but the ones headed to the willamette are expected to be a record low. Most likely spawning habitat is the difference there. It is sad. Seems like nothing but bad news lately.

[C-Hawk]

Just recieved this in my e-mail;

California Department of Fish and Game
Informational Notice

Emergency Action Taken to Close April Ocean Salmon Sport Fisheries off California

Emergency action has been taken by the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to close the ocean sport fishery between Horse Mountain and Point Arena on April 1, 2008.

In addition, emergency action was taken to close the April 5 sport fishing openers in San Francisco and Monterey port areas (south of Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico Border).

The Fish and Game Commission will consider emergency action on March 28, 2008 to conform to the PFMC actions affecting state waters.

These actions are being taken to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon which returned to the Central Valley in 2007 at record low numbers. Even if all ocean sport and commercial fisheries are closed throughout California, salmon returns are not projected to meet the escapement goals required by the PFMC Salmon Fishery Management Plan.

The PFMC has produced three ocean salmon fishing season options (effective May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009) for public comment.

â?¢ Option 1 provides very limited commercial and sport fishing after May 18.

â?¢ Option 2 provides no commercial or sport fishing after March 31 but allows a non-retention research project to collect tissue samples for genetic stock identification analyses.

â?¢ Option 3 provides no fishing between Cape Falcon, Oregon and the U.S.-Mexico border.

On April 1, the PFMC will hold a public hearing meeting in Eureka to receive comments on the proposed ocean salmon fishery management options adopted by the PFMC. The PFMC will then meet April 7-11 in Seattle to adopt a final regulatory packet from the three options listed above. More information regarding the PFMC meetings and options can be found on the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org.

For additional information, please contact the California Department of Fish and Game Ocean Salmon Project at (707) 576-2873.

# # #

Note: This e-mail account is used to distribute information to the public. Do not reply to this e-mail. Direct questions or comments regarding the information contained in this e-mail to the Department staff listed as points of contact for this subject.

[C-Hawk]

Another notice for California;

California Department of Fish and Game

New Ocean Salmon Update
and Frequently Asked Questions

April 4, 2008

The Fish and Game Commission took emergency action on March 28, to conform to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) actions affecting state waters.

Emergency action was taken by the PFMC and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to close the ocean sport fishery between Horse Mountain and Point Arena on April 1, 2008.

In addition, emergency action was taken to close the April 5 sportfishing openers in San Francisco and Monterey port areas (south of Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico Border).

These actions are being taken to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon which returned to the Central Valley in 2007 at record low numbers. Even if all ocean sport and commercial fisheries are closed throughout California, salmon returns are not projected to meet the escapement goals required by the PFMC Salmon Fishery Management Plan.

The PFMC has produced three ocean salmon fishing season options (effective May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009) for public comment.

- Option 1 provides very limited commercial and sport fishing after May 18.
- Option 2 provides no commercial or sport fishing after March 31 but allows a non-retention research project to collect tissue samples for genetic stock identification analyses.
- Option 3 provides no fishing between Cape Falcon, Oregon and the U.S.-Mexico border.

On April 1, the PFMC held a public hearing meeting in Eureka to receive comments on the proposed ocean salmon fishery management options adopted by the PFMC. The PFMC will then meet April 7-11 in Seattle to adopt a final regulatory packet from the three options listed above. More information regarding the PFMC meetings and options can be found on the PFMC Web site at www.pcouncil.org

# # #

2008 Ocean Salmon Sport Fishing Season: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the California ocean salmon fishery closed in April?
All California ocean sport and commercial salmon fisheries will be closed in April. Emergency action was taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Fish and Game
Commission (FGC) to close the ocean sport fishery between Horse Mountain and Point Arena (Fort Bragg Area) beginning April 1, 2008. Emergency action was also taken to close the April 5 sport fishing openers in San Francisco and Monterey port areas (south of Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico Border).

Why are these emergency actions needed?
In 2007, less than 88,000 Sacramento River fall Chinook (SRFC) adults returned to spawn in the Sacramento River Basin. This is the lowest escapement of SRFC observed since 1992 and the second lowest return on record. This is well below the annual conservation objective of 122,000-180,000 adult spawners required by the PFMCâ??s Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

With less than 1,900 SRFC jacks (age 2 fish) returning in 2007 (lowest on record), fishery scientists forecast approximately 59,000 SRFC adults (ages 3, 4, and 5) alive in the ocean in 2008. Thus even without any additional ocean and in-river fishing in 2008, SRFC will not meet their FMP spawner goal. It is also forecasted that the number of adult spawners returning to state and federal hatcheries will be well below the 16,000 SRFC adults needed to meet annual egg-take goals for the stock.

Since SRFC contribute significantly (generally 80-90%) to Californiaâ??s ocean sport and commercial fisheries, as well as to Oregonâ??s fisheries south of Cape Falcon(60-80%), the PFMC, NMFS and FGC have closed April fisheries in California and March fisheries off of Oregon to protect SRFC.

Are the salmon sport seasons closing for the entire year?
The PFMC will meet April 6-12 in Seattle, WA. Final salmon management regulations in effect from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 will be adopted during this meeting. In March, the PFMC adopted three options for Californiaâ??s ocean salmon fisheries:

â?¢ Option 1 provides 9-10 days of sport fishing in each major port area.
â?¢ Option 2 provides no 2008 sport or commercial season; however a catch-and-release commercial fishery would be conducted to collect genetic tissue (fin clips).
â?¢ Option 3 does not allow any ocean fishing between Cape Falcon, Oregon and the U.S.-Mexico border between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009.

More specific information can be found at www.pcouncil.org/salmon/salpreII08/Preseason_Report_II_2008.pdf

Why was the Fort Bragg ocean salmon sport fishery open in February and March?
Each April, the PFMC and FGC adopt ocean salmon regulations that are in effect from May to the following April. The 2008 season opener for Fort Bragg was determined at the April 2007 PFMC and FGC meetings.

How many fall-run Chinook returned to the Klamath River system?
The PFMCâ??s FMP requires that at least 35,000 Klamath fall Chinook (KFC) adults return to spawn in natural areas. In 2007, approximately 59,700 adults returned to the Klamath Basin to naturally spawn; however the total jack return was a record low of only 1,600 fish.

Since the FMP conservation objective for KFC was not met the previous three years (2004-2006), an overfishing concern was triggered in 2007. This concern remains in effect during 2008.

Which salmon stocks are caught off the coast of California?
The majority of salmon caught off the coast of California are Central Valley Chinook (fall and late fall runs). There are also small numbers of Sacramento River winter Chinook, Central Valley spring Chinook, California coastal Chinook, Klamath Basin Chinook (fall and spring run), and northern stocks from Oregon and Washington contacted in Californiaâ??s fisheries. Generally, the closer the fishery is to the mouth of the Klamath River and the later in the year, the higher the contact rate (the fraction of the population brought to the boat) with Klamath Basin stocks. Contacts with Oregon and Washington salmon stocks generally increases as you move north along the coast.

What is the cause of the Sacramento Run Fall Chinook population decline?

NOAAâ??s news release on the low salmon returns.
www.pcouncil.org/bb/2008/0308/D1a_SUP_ATT1.pdf

CDFG is investigating potential causes for the low salmon returns.
www.pcouncil.org/bb/2008/0308/D1b_CDFG.pdf

NMFS supplemental response.
www.pcouncil.org/bb/2008/0308/D1b_SUP_NMFS.pdf


Salmon 2008 Preseason Process: Calendar of Events and Contact Information
Link to 2008 ocean salmon fisheries management calendar: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/salmonpreseason.asp

For additional information, please contact the CDFGâ??s Ocean Salmon Project at (707) 576-3429

(This FAQ may be found on the Marine Region Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/salmon2008faqs.pdf )

Note: This e-mail account is used to distribute information to the public. Do not reply to this e-mail. Direct questions or comments regarding the information contained in this e-mail to the Department staff listed as points of contact for this subject.