PFMC Sets 2019 Salmon Seasons

The Pacific Fishery Management Council set 2019 salmon seasons on Tuesday.

California and Oregon South of Cape Falcon, Oregon

“Recreational fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mtn. will allow Chinook retention from now through October. Coho fisheries consist of a mark-selective quota fishery of 90,000 in mid-summer (compared to 35,000 last year) and a non-mark-selective quota fishery of 9,000 in September (compared to 3,500 last year).

Fisheries from Humbug Mtn., Oregon to Horse Mtn., California will be open from May 25 through September 2. The Oregon area also includes a mark-selective coho fishery opportunity in mid-summer.

Fisheries from Horse Mtn. to Pigeon Point (Fort Bragg and San Francisco areas) will be open from April 13 through 30, then re-open May 18 and continue through October. The area from Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey area) is open now through August 28.”

SFgate.com posted a report on the upcoming commercial season and how it might be impacted on the industry.  Here’s reporter Tara Duggan:

California fishermen will have 30 percent more time to fish this year, according to an estimate from John Koeppen, a Santa Cruz commercial fisherman and an adviser for the council. 

The change should mean more Chinook salmon on local tables this summer, likely at lower prices. …

Tuesday’s announcement comes as good news for California fishermen who have struggled through the restricted salmon seasons and a Dungeness crab season that ended on Monday three months early, due to a lawsuit related to an increase in whale entanglements in their gear.