Federal Fishery Managers Cancel California Salmon Fishing for Second Year Due to Dwindling Stocks

California's fishing industry is facing a severe blow as the Pacific Fishery Management Council announced the cancellation of all commercial and recreational salmon fishing off the state's coast for the second consecutive year. This decision, made in the wake of dwindling salmon stocks, marks only the fourth time in the state's history that such a ban has been implemented, following similar closures in 2008 and 2009.

The salmon population in California has been adversely affected by various factors, including drought, water diversions and rising river temperatures. A recent report by the fishery council revealed that the number of fall-run Chinook returning to the upper Sacramento River to spawn drastically declined to just over 6,100 in 2023, a sharp contrast to the average of more than 175,000 fish recorded between 1996 and 2005.

The detrimental impact of warm and slow river flows on the state's Chinook salmon has prompted the authorities to take stringent measures to protect the species from further decline. The ban initially applies to commercial and recreational ocean fishing and there are recommendations to extend it to river fishing as well, pending a vote by the California Fish and Game Commission in the coming weeks.

Challenges and Threats to Salmon Population

In addition to immediate concerns over river water temperatures and water diversions, the salmon population faces long-term threats from climate change. The warming of river water due to rising temperatures and the rollback of federal protections has adversely affected the natural habitat and food sources essential for the young Chinook salmon maturing in the Pacific.

Scott Artis, the executive director of the Golden State Salmon Association, expressed grave concerns over the detrimental impact of state water policies on the salmon industry. He emphasized the dangerously low river flows, unsustainable water diversions, and the record high temperatures resulting from dam operations, which collectively contribute to the loss of salmon eggs and juveniles in California's streams.

Environmental Impact and Endangered Species

The ban on salmon fishing has far-reaching environmental implications, particularly concerning the threatened spring-run Chinook listed under the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the winter-run Chinook and the Central California Coast coho salmon, which have been off-limits to commercial fishers since the 1990s, are also classified as endangered species.

These developments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect and restore the salmon population in California, emphasizing the critical role of sustainable water management and conservation efforts.