ODFW update Notice
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, and the State of California met this morning in Rohnert Park, California and have taken the following in-season management action to the scheduled March and April commercial troll Chinook salmon openings off Oregon:
ACTIONS TAKEN:
(1) The commercial troll salmon fishery scheduled to open on March 15 in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. will remain closed to commercial troll salmon fishing for the period of March 15 through April 30.
(2) The commercial troll salmon fishery scheduled to open on March 15 in the area from Humbug Mt. to the Oregon/California Border will remain closed to commercial troll salmon fishing for the period of March 15 through April 30.
RATIONALE: Fishery managers and industry representatives agreed that this closure was needed to reduce impacts on both Klamath River fall Chinook and Sacramento River fall Chinook in order to provide adequate opportunity as requested from fishery participants throughout the remainder of the fishing seasons that are currently under development. The forecast abundance for a number of Chinook salmon populations that contribute to fisheries South of Cape Falcon are forecast at poor to fair abundances.
Seasons from May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed and a final season recommendation made at the Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting April 5-11 in Portland, Oregon.
