2009 salmon season . . . probably not.
Information from the “Water 4 Fish: Targeting California’s Water Management” newsletter provides another bleak outlook for the 2009 salmon season.
“More 2009 salmon season bad news. Most of the fall run salmon return data is now available and the news is not good. It appears there can be no salmon fishing season in 2009. In 2007, 90,000 fall run fish returned to the Central Valley system to spawn. The fishing season was closed because a minimum of 121,000 returns are needed for the species to survive long term. In 2008, the returns are estimated to be only 60,000 fish, a 23% drop from 2007 and the 2008 fishing season was completely closed. The disaster deepens. Stakeholder groups are asking for another year of trucking hatchery fish around the delta to avoid the low water and delta problems. DFG, NMFS, and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will truck again in 2009 but the levels are yet to be established.”
Another lost season will force more people away from the sport and industry. As anglers and related industry personnel continue to walk away we run the risk of losing a significant portion of the voice needed to protect our fisheries. Continued closures, although needed to protect the resource can make it difficult to maintain a strong voice. We invite you to share your thoughts.
