2023 Spring Ocean Salmon Closure (Oregon)

[ohmytodd]

March 9, 2023 RECREATIONAL OCEAN SALMON ACTION 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 today via a blended conference call and in person meeting and have taken the following in-season management action related to the scheduled March 15 recreational Chinook salmon openings off Oregon between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt.:

ACTION TAKEN:
The recreational ocean salmon fishery scheduled to open on March 15 and continue through May 15 in ocean waters between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. off Oregon are canceled for 2023.

RATIONALE:  Multiple stocks of California Chinook Salmon are at extremely low abundance and are projected to potentially fall below target spawning escapements. Guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2023 ocean salmon seasons that include contacts with Sacramento River fall Chinook was that "extraordinary measures are needed in 2023 to address these circumstances and to ensure that fishery management is not a contributing factor."  For Klamath River fall Chinook the NMFS guidance is "that a precautionary approach is warranted and underscores the need to carefully consider the factors described in the FMP in setting the ER (exploitation rate). Given the extremely low abundance forecast and resulting low level of allowable fishing mortality, NMFS anticipates harvest opportunity will be substantially constrained in the region between Cape Falcon, Oregon, and Point Sur, California."  Oregon fisheries typically intercept these stocks throughout the entire area to the South of Cape Falcon, and these stocks are very important contributors to Oregon's spring and summer fisheries.

Seasons from May 16, 2023 through early May 15, 2024 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed, and a final season recommendation will be made at the April Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting.  Interested members of the public should visit www.pcouncil.org for information on how to participate in the April meeting.

Visit https://dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/  for more information on Oregon's ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.

Contact: Eric Schindler             
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife             
eric.d.schindler@odfw.oregon.gov             
(541)857-2538

[Hunter]

I see that it reads "Recreational" Notice.   What's the point of doing this unless they also cancel the commercial fishery?   

[Tom C]

They have.

[amazing grace]

Screw these people. They are not saving anything. They would prefer we eat their lab meat. And they get to eat Salmon.

[First Light]

If you want to go fishing for Salmon here's a forecast for the Main,South,& Middle Fork of the Clearwater River,Salmon River, and Little Salmon Rivers in Idaho (eye-DUH-ho).

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/22/alan-lieres-fish-hunt-report-for-march-23/

I dunno, how they pull this off in Idaho?

M2C

[Salty Dangler]

I dunno, how they pull this off in Idaho?

M2C

Why wouldn't we be able to pull it off? None of the fish returning here are of Sacramento River origin. The vast majority of chinook returning this year are part of mitigation programs and are intended for harvest. It should be a good year, go get 'em!