CDFW News | Ocean Salmon Fishery Achieves Summer Catch Limit; Will Reopen in September – California Department of Fish and Wildlife (.gov)

Report on California’s June 7-8 Ocean Salmon Season and Sustainable Fisheries Management

Overview of the June 7-8 Ocean Salmon Season

The June 7-8 ocean salmon season in California provided an exceptional fishing experience, with many anglers reporting some of the best catches in recent memory. The season was marked by fast action, quick limits, and busy harbors along much of the coast, including a strong salmon bite as far south as San Luis Obispo County. Favorable ocean conditions from Crescent City to Avila Beach enabled anglers to fish both days, targeting the iconic Chinook salmon in ocean waters for the first time since 2022.

Catch Statistics and Management Actions

1. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) estimated a total catch of 9,165 Chinook salmon statewide by 10,505 anglers aboard charter vessels and private skiffs.
2. The summer fishery harvest guideline of 7,000 Chinook salmon was achieved.
3. Following recommendations from CDFW and industry stakeholders, the National Marine Fisheries Service implemented in-season closures for the remaining summer dates: July 5-6, July 31-August 3, and August 25-31.

Geographical Distribution and Data Collection

• The majority of catches and angler participation originated from ports in the greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas.
• Nearly 100 CDFW and partner-agency staff conducted dockside data collection at major boat launches and sport fishing centers statewide during the opening weekend.
• Data collection included counting anglers and their fish, and retrieving coded wire tags from hatchery-origin fish to gather life history information.

Stakeholder Engagement and Hatchery Programs

According to Kandice Morgenstern, CDFW’s Senior Ocean Salmon Project Supervisor, the recreational fishing community’s cooperation in dockside surveys is vital for generating data essential to planning future ocean salmon seasons. Anglers also actively participate in the courtesy program, which provides information about the hatchery of origin, age, and release location of their fish based on coded wire tag data.

Upcoming Fall Ocean Salmon Fishery

1. The recreational ocean salmon fishery is scheduled to reopen September 4-7 under a fall harvest guideline of 7,500 Chinook salmon in waters between Point Reyes and Point Sur.
2. If the harvest guideline is not met, the season will continue on September 29-30.
3. Remaining fish will be available for harvest in waters between Point Reyes and Pigeon Point during October 1-5 and October 27-31.

Sustainable Fisheries Management and Alignment with SDGs

The use of harvest guidelines and in-season management represents a new approach in California’s ocean sport fishery management for 2024. These guidelines were developed through the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s pre-season process, utilizing historical catch and effort data alongside expected performance metrics. The primary objectives are to minimize impacts on vulnerable salmon stocks, including Klamath River fall Chinook, Central Valley Spring, and Sacramento River Winter Chinook.

This management strategy aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – Promoting sustainable use of marine resources by implementing harvest guidelines and protecting endangered salmon populations.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encouraging sustainable fishing practices and data-driven management to ensure long-term viability of fish stocks.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Supporting hatchery programs that contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem health.

These efforts are part of California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future released in January 2024, which emphasizes adaptive management in response to climate change and environmental challenges.

Additional Resources and Contacts

• For more information, visit the CDFW ocean salmon webpage: https://wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon
• Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline: (707) 576-3429
• Experience the opening weekend through video footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QziCFilLvzs

Media Contacts

• Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, Steve.Gonzalez@wildlife.ca.gov, (916) 804-1714
• Emma Keller, CDFW Ocean Salmon Project, Emma.Keller@wildlife.ca.gov, (707) 502-8418

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article focuses on the management and sustainability of ocean salmon fisheries in California, directly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The use of harvest guidelines and in-season management reflects efforts to ensure sustainable fishing practices, minimizing overfishing and promoting responsible resource use.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Although primarily marine-focused, the article mentions hatchery programs and coded wire tags that relate to biodiversity conservation and species management.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), National Marine Fisheries Service, partner agencies, and the recreational fishing community highlights partnerships for sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible.
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.8: Ensure that people have relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Catch Numbers and Harvest Guidelines
   • The article mentions specific harvest guidelines (e.g., 7,000 Chinook for summer, 7,500 for fall) and actual catch numbers (9,165 Chinook taken by 10,505 anglers), which serve as quantitative indicators of fish stock status and fishery impact.
2. In-Season Management and Monitoring
   • Use of in-season closures and monitoring of catch and effort data to adjust fishing seasons indicates adaptive management indicators.
3. Data Collection Activities
   • Dockside surveys counting anglers and fish, and collection of coded wire tags to recover life history information, provide biological and effort-related indicators.
4. Hatchery Program Participation
   • Angler participation in hatchery-origin fish tracking programs implies indicators related to fish origin, age, and release location, which help assess hatchery contributions to fish populations.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wildlife.ca.gov