Protecting California’s Salmon: PFMC Recommends Closure of Ocean Salmon Fisheries

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) made a unanimous recommendation to close California’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries for the remainder of the year. This decision echoes last year’s move to close the fisheries in 2023, emphasizing the critical state of our salmon stocks. 

Challenges Facing California’s Salmon 

California’s salmon populations have been under significant strain due to ongoing challenges related to drought, climate disruption and dams. The salmon returning to California’s coast and rivers are grappling with the aftermath of multi-year droughts, severe wildfires, habitat degradation, harmful algal blooms, and shifts in ocean forage availability. Low ocean abundance forecasts and disappointing returns in 2023 have compelled the PFMC to advocate for the complete closure of California’s ocean salmon fisheries. 

Regulatory Actions Ahead 

Following the PFMC’s recommendation, the National Marine Fisheries Service is expected to enforce the closure by mid-May. Moreover, the California Fish and Game Commission will deliberate on the potential closure of inland salmon fisheries during its teleconference meeting on May 15. 

Charlton H. Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), expressed the difficulty of this decision, stating, “While we have seen consecutive wet winters, the salmon benefiting from these conditions won’t return until approximately 2026 or 2027. This year’s salmon are the offspring of the environmental challenges faced three to five years ago.” 

Challenges And Solutions 

A closed fishery means that many in the commercial fishing industry will be out of jobs, thousands of anglers will be unable to harvest, and you will find less locally caught salmon available in the grocery stores. Although some serious pains will be felt in the short-term, this measure will alleviate fishing pressure on this year’s fall salmon run and may help their numbers to bounce back. This was seen after 2008 and 2009 when salmon fishing was closed and California also experienced a big water year the following season, similar to conditions we are seeing now.    

As an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Yuba River watershed and all the creatures who live in it, we support these conservation efforts and are tirelessly working collaboratively to ensure the future of California’s iconic salmon.