John Driscoll
The
Times-Standard
March 15, 2006
For the past couple of months, most fishermen have been aware that this year's
salmon season would be a bust. The prognosis is, indeed, poor.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council will weigh several options (see sidebar)
before choosing one to send on to the National Marine Fisheries Service, which
will create the final regulations. The California Fish and Game Commission will
also have to consider what fishing will be allowed on the Klamath and Trinity
rivers -- and then only if there are any fish deemed available for the taking.
The public will have a chance to comment on the options, though none of the
hearings will be local. And with low projected chinook salmon runs on the
Klamath, regulators may have a difficult time choosing the least restrictive
option.
Both recreational and commercial fishing off the North Coast could be closed
under several scenarios, taking a bite out of charter operations, tackle shops,
hotels, restaurants and the state's $100 million-plus commercial salmon
industry.
”There's just no doubt that whatever happens this year will devastate the
tribal, commercial and recreational fisheries,” said Humboldt County 1st
District Supervisor Jimmy Smith, who also represents sport fishermen in the
area.
Smith said work will be done toward drafting a compensation package for those
affected in an effort to preserve the infrastructure -- boats, resorts, fishing
guides -- that supports the salmon fishery. Then it's a matter of hoping there
will be enough fish to allow fishing next year, so Humboldt County isn't
forgotten by fishing tourists, he said.
In a review of the 2005 California salmon fishery out of Eureka, the Pacific
council found that commercial fishing brought in $339,000 in income alone --
nearly all commercial fishermen also fish out of more southerly ports, where
they earn most of their salmon money -- while sport fishing provided $828,000 in
income. That's only in Eureka, and doesn't include impacts for Shelter Cove or
Trinidad. It also doesn't express total economic impact, or the effects fishing
has on the small river communities along the Klamath River itself.
The American Sportfishing Association puts the economic effect of California's
saltwater fishing at $1.7 billion, with freshwater fishing adding another $811
million.
The closest public hearings are March 27 at the Red Lion Hotel in Coos Bay,
Ore., and at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. The
council will adopt options during meetings from April 3 to 7 in Sacramento.
Commercial salmon options:
From the Oregon border to the South Jetty
Option 1: Oregon border to the South Jetty: Sept. 3 to Sept. 30, or no more than 2,000 salmon.
Option 2: Closed
Option 3: Closed
From the South Jetty to Horse Mountain
Option 1: Closed
Option 2: Closed
Option 3: Closed
Ocean sport salmon fishing options:
Humbug Mountain to Horse Mountain (Klamath Management Zone)
Option 1: May 26 to July 4 and Aug. 14 to Sept. 11; minimum size 24 inches; two fish per day
Option 2: May 28 to 31; July 1 to 4; Aug. 23 to Sept. 6; minimum size 24 inches; two fish per day
Option 3: Closed
Klamath River fishing options:
Option 1: Anglers would get 15 percent of allotment for commercial and recreational fishing. (This number is unknown. If, at upcoming meetings, they determine to allow fishing below the floor, this would kick in.)
Option 2: Closed
Option 3: Closed
Note: Option one could be adjusted if the California Fish and Game Commission recommends a different allocation, but only if fish are made available to catch.
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Source: http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_3604283