The Council-adopted salmon management tables are available by visiting our salmon preseason process and management webpage.
Updates
PRELIMINARY DRAFT APRIL 2021 MOTIONS IN WRITING
Cautionary Note — These preliminary motions do not represent the final official administrative record. The motions and amendments contained in this blog are as projected on the screen at the Council meeting at the time of the Council vote and often use expedited language and references without the benefit of any final editing or proofing. They may use short-hand language or abbreviations that may not be clear without the context of verbal comments and clarifications made during their development at the meeting, or may contain inadvertent transposition errors. They have not been approved by the Council to represent the final official record of Council action. The final official record will be posted on the Council website after the Council approves the full meeting record at a future Council meeting.
- A.4 – Approve Agenda
- C.1 – Consider Habitat Committee Report and Recommendations
- D.1 – Adopt Tentative 2021 Ocean Salmon Management Measures and any Necessary Harvest Specifications for Collation and Analysis
- G.1 – Adopt Final Incidental Pacific Halibut Catch Recommendations for 2021 and Early 2022 Non-Indian Salmon Troll Fisheries
- E.2 – Adopt Final EFP Recommendations for 2021-2022 Fisheries
- E.3 – Review Phase 1 Report and Determine if Modification to Essential Fish Habitat Provisions are Warranted
- E.4 – Adopt a Pacific Sardine Assessment, Final Harvest Specifications, and Management Measures for the 2021-2022 Pacific Sardine Fishery
- F.2 – Provide Guidance on the Development of Management Measures to Satisfy the Terms and Conditions of the Humpback Whale ESA Consultation, as Appropriate.
- F.3 – Scope Issues Regarding Implementing Gear and Methods Tested Under the Emley/Platt Exempted Fishing Permit in Regulations and Modifying Rockfish Conservation Areas for Non-Trawl Sectors; Consider Purpose and Need Statements; and Provide Guidance on Further Development of Issues and Alternatives
- F.5 – Provide Comments on the Report and Adopt Final Regulatory Changes
- F.6 – Adopt Final Inseason Adjustments for 2021, as Necessary, to Achieve but not Exceed Annual Catch Limits and Other Management Objectives.
- F.4 – Select Gear Switching Level to Guide Development of the Gear Switching Alternatives and Provide Other Guidance as Appropriate
- H.4 – Consider Appointments to Council Committees and Advisory Bodies; Consider Changes to Council Operating Procedures
- D.6 – Adopt Final Management Measures for 2021 Ocean Salmon Fisheries
Sablefish management strategy evaluation workshop to be held online April 27-28, 2021
This post was generated by and redirects to https://www.pcouncil.org/events/sablefish-management-strategy-evaluation-workshop-to-be-held-online-april-27-28-2021/.
Ad Hoc Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Workgroup to hold online meeting May 12, 2021
This post was generated by and redirects to https://www.pcouncil.org/events/ad-hoc-southern-oregon-northern-california-coast-coho-workgroup-to-hold-online-meeting-may-12-2021/.
Notice of availability for Amendment 18 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
NOAA Fisheries has published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (86 FR 14401, March 16, 2021) announcing Amendment 18 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 18 would implement a rebuilding plan for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine. Comments on the proposed amendment must be received by May 17, 2021. In order to comment on the draft Amendment 18 language, submit all public comments electronically via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0008 in the Search box. Click the “Comment” icon and complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. To view the associated Environmental Assessment, visit the West Coast Region National Environmental Policy Act Documents website. Comments on the draft Environmental Assessment must be received by April 15, 2021. Questions? Contact Lynn Massey, Fishery Management Specialist, NOAA Fisheries, at lynn.massey@noaa.gov |
Washington extends application deadline for federal relief funding to commercial fishing industries
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission now accepting applications through April 9
Eligible commercial fishing, shellfish, charter and seafood sector industry members who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic now have through April 9 to apply with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) for assistance.
The 15-day extension includes additional time for industry members who fish or land their fish in Alaska but live in Washington to apply. Washington-based commercial fishers who fish in Alaska should apply to the Washington spend plan for assistance.
More information and eligibility details and application materials and instructions are available on the PSFMC’s website at: psmfc.org/cares-act-the-coronavirus-aid-relief-and-economic-security-act. Previously open through March 25, applications remain open through April 9.
Three Groundfish Stock Assessment Review Panels Scheduled to be Held Online
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene three Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panels this year to review new stock assessments for Dover sole, spiny dogfish, lingcod, and vermilion and sunset rockfishes. These STAR Panel meetings are open to the public, and will be held online.
Dates and times of the STAR Panel meetings
The STAR Panel meeting (STAR Panel 1) to review new assessments for Dover sole and spiny dogfish will be held Monday, May 3, 2021 through Friday, May 7, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and ending at 5:30 p.m. each day, or when business for the day has been completed.
The STAR Panel meeting (STAR Panel 2) to review new assessments for lingcod will be held Monday, July 12, 2021 through Friday, July 16, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. each day, or when business for the day has been completed.
The STAR Panel meeting (STAR Panel 3) to review a new assessment for vermilion and sunset rockfishes will be held Monday, July 26, 2021 through Friday, July 30, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. each day, or when business for the day has been completed.
Purpose of the meetings
The purpose of the STAR Panels is to review draft 2021 stock assessment documents and any other pertinent information for new benchmark stock assessments for Dover sole, spiny dogfish, lingcod (it is anticipated there will be 2 assessments of West Coast lingcod subpopulations delineated at 40°10’ N. lat.), and vermilion and sunset rockfishes (it is anticipated this will be a single assessment of vermilion rockfish and sunset rockfish in combination); work with the Stock Assessment Teams to make necessary revisions; and produce STAR Panel reports for use by the Pacific Council family and other interested persons for developing management recommendations for fisheries in 2021 and beyond. No management actions will be decided by the STAR Panels. The STAR Panel participants’ role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the Pacific Council at its virtual June meeting (for Dover sole and spiny dogfish) and its September meeting (for lingcod and vermilion and sunset rockfishes) tentatively scheduled in Spokane, Washington.
To attend the online meetings
Meeting details will be posted to each STAR Panel’s webpage as they become available.
Technical information
Technical details will be posted to each STAR Panel’s webpage as they become available.
For technical assistance, you may send an email to Kris Kleinschmidt or call/text 503-820-2412; or email Sandra Krause or call/text 503-820-2419.
Additional information
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kris Kleinschmidt at 503-280-2412 at least ten business days prior to the meeting date.
If you have additional questions regarding the online meetings, please contact Dr. Andi Stephens, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center, or John DeVore at 503-820-2413; toll free 1-866-806-7204, extension 413.
Preseason Report II: Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2021 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations available online
March 2021 Decision Summary Document
March 4-5, 8-11, 2021
Council Meeting Decision Summary Documents are highlights of significant decisions made at Council meetings. Results of agenda items that do not reach a level of highlight significance are typically not described in the Decision Summary Document. For a more detailed account of Council meeting discussions, see the Council meeting record and transcripts or the Council newsletter.
Salmon Management
Reintroduction of Salmon Above Grand Coulee Dam
The Council agreed to send a letter of general support to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for investigating the concept of reintroducing salmon to the upper Columbia Basin through a feasibility study that uses a science-based phased approach.
Review of 2020 Fisheries and Summary of 2021 Stock Forecasts
The Council adopted the stock abundances, overfishing limits, acceptable biological catches, and annual catch limits as presented in the 2021 Preseason Report I, for use in 2021 salmon management.
Adopt 2021 Management Alternatives for Public Review
The Council adopted for public review three management measure alternatives for the 2021 ocean commercial and recreational salmon fisheries beginning May 16. The Council also adopted six alternatives proposed by the Tribes for 2021 treaty Indian ocean salmon Fisheries. The Council is scheduled to adopt final 2021 ocean salmon regulations at its April 6-9 & 12-15 meeting held via webinar. The Oregon and California alternatives included inseason actions that were taken during the Council meeting to modify fisheries occurring prior to May 16, 2021.
The Council also scheduled one public hearing for each coastal state to discuss the salmon alternatives. The hearings will occur online and are scheduled for evenings of Tuesday, March 23 (Washington and California), and Wednesday March 24 (Oregon).
Pacific Halibut Management
Incidental Catch Recommendations: Options for Salmon Troll and Final Action on Recommendations for Fixed Gear Sablefish Fisheries
The Council adopted three alternatives for incidental halibut retention in the 2021 and early 2022 Salmon troll fishery, consistent with the Salmon Advisory Subpanel report. Each alternative included a landing and possession limit of one halibut for every two Chinook, plus one additional halibut in excess of the possession/landing ratio. The possession/landing limit per trip ranged from 25 to 35 halibut among the three options. The Council is scheduled to adopt a final alternative at its April meeting.
The Council’s final recommendation for the 2021 incidental halibut catch restrictions in the fixed gear fishery north of Point Chehalis from April 1 through October 31 was to set the limit at 225 pounds of dressed weight halibut for every 1,000 pounds dressed weight of sablefish, plus 2 additional halibut in excess of the ratio, which was consistent with the Groundfish Advisory Subpanel report.
Groundfish Management
Workload and New Management Measure Priorities
The Council added three new items to the list of unprioritized groundfish management measures as shown in Table B of GMT Report 1. The new items are:
- Prohibition on directed fishing for shortbelly rockfish
- Lingcod trip limit adjustments N of 40° 10’ N. latitude in the salmon troll fishery
- Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA) Modification
A public proposal for a prohibition on directed fishing for shortbelly rockfish will be considered for inclusion in the 2023-2024 groundfish harvest specifications and management measure process. The lingcod trip limit measure proposed by the Salmon Advisory Subpanel and as described in Supplemental GMT Report 2, will be scoped in April by the Groundfish Management Team (GMT) to determine if the proposal can be completed through routine inseason action. The CCA area modification proposes to repeal the CCAs and decouples the CCA area modification issue from the non-trawl rockfish conservation area modification scoping process scheduled for April 2021. The Council considered, but did not add to Table B, reactivation of an Ad Hoc Cost Recovery Committee. The Council also directed staff and the GMT to make corrections to the list of unprioritized actions to better clarify the measures in that table.
The Council maintained mothership utilization and non-trawl rockfish conservation area/Emley-Platt exempted fishing permit regulation items as priorities.
The Council also added an item to the March agenda and prioritized its development at this meeting: Emergency Rule to Consider Changing Seasonal Processing Limitations in the At-Sea Whiting Fishery (see G.6 below).
Pacific Whiting Utilization in the Mothership Sector
The Council adopted a final purpose and need statement proposed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as the following range of alternatives for analysis and public review:
1. Whiting Season Start Date (for all whiting sectors)
- Status Quo: May 15
- Alternative 1: May 1, annual cooperative applications and Salmon Mitigation Plans due 45 days prior to the season start date.
2. Mothership Processor Obligation
- Status Quo: Mothership processor obligation made by November 30 through mothership catcher vessel endorsed limited entry permit renewal.
- Alternative 1: Remove mothership processor obligation from regulation.
3. Mothership Processor Cap
- Status Quo: 45%
- Alternative 1: 65%
- Alternative 2: 85%
- Alternative 3: Remove mothership processor cap from regulation.
4. Mothership Processor & Catcher-Processor Permit Transfer
- Status Quo: A vessel cannot be registered to a mothership permit and a catcher-processor permit in the same calendar year
- Alternative 1: A vessel can be registered to a mothership permit and a catcher-processor permit in the same calendar year.
i. Sub-option A: A vessel can switch between the mothership sector and catcher-processor sector up to two times during the calendar year through permit transfer.
ii. Sub-option B: A vessel can switch between the mothership sector and catcher-processor sector up to four times during the calendar year through permit transfer.
iii. Sub-option C: Unlimited transfers.
Inseason Adjustments – Final Action
The Council reviewed the status and projections for 2021 fisheries but did not recommend inseason adjustments.
Electronic Monitoring Program Update
The Council recommended no modifications to the draft electronic monitoring program guidelines and provider manual. The Council has tentatively scheduled an update on electronic monitoring implementation for its June 2021 meeting.
Emergency Rule to Consider Changing Seasonal Processing Limitations in the At-Sea Whiting Fishery
The Council modified the March agenda to allow consideration of an emergency action to allow an at-sea Pacific whiting processing platform to operate as both a mothership and a catcher-processor in the same calendar year during the 2021 Pacific whiting fishery. This action was taken at the request of industry representatives and the Groundfish Advisory Subpanel to prevent fishery disruption if a mothership processor decides to abandon that sector this year to mitigate their risk associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Such a disruption would otherwise leave catcher vessels in the mothership sector without a processing platform, potentially stranding their whiting quota, which would result in significant economic impacts. Allowing a catcher-processor vessel to temporarily operate as an at-sea processor in the mothership sector mitigates the impacts associated with the current processing limitations in these two sectors.
Highly Migratory Species Management
Review of Essential Fish Habitat – Phase 2
The Council adopted the Phase 2 Action Plan for developing potential revisions to highly migratory species (HMS) essential fish habitat provisions as part of a Fishery Management Plan amendment process. The Council directed the HMS Management Team (HMSMT), Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region, and Council staff to consider the recommendations of the HMSMT, in further development of the amendment process.
Deep-Set Buoy Gear Permit Clarifications
Based on questions and proposed interpretations in NMFS Reports 1 and 2, the Council adopted the following clarifications to its proposed measures for authorizing deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) adopted in September 2019:
- Confirmed that a DSBG limited entry permit may be held by a person as defined 50 CFR 660.702, which includes corporations, partnerships, or other entities, but in all cases permit transfers are prohibited except for a one-time transfer to a family member upon the death of an individual permit holder. In cases where an entity holds a permit, transfers by means of changes in the ownership of the entity will be prohibited.
- Clarified that for the purpose of limited entry DSBG permit qualification, “EFP holder” means vessel operators on board when DSBG was used or individuals identified as having managed the exempted fishing permit (EFP) including owners of vessels to which the EFP was assigned.
- Supported the NMFS recommendation for a single qualification period but included Tier 8 (see description below). Ranking within tiers would be based on total swordfish landings for Tiers 1-5 and on a first come, first served basis for the remaining tiers.
The Council modified the DSBG limited entry permit qualification tiers so that they read as follows:
- EFP holders, with at least 10 documented calendar days of DSBG fishing effort by December 31, 2018. Documentation shall consist of a West Coast Observer Program record indicating either:
- the EFP holder as vessel captain for that fishing day; or
- fishing effort for that day conducted on a vessel owned by or under the EFP managed by that individual.
- California Drift Gillnet (DGN) Shark and Swordfish permit holders who made at least one large mesh DGN swordfish landing between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 fishing seasons and surrender their state or federal DGN permit as part of a DGN permit trade-in or buy-back program.
- EFP holders approved by the Council prior to April 1, 2021 who conducted at least 10 calendar days of DSBG fishing effort or with 10 days of DSBG effort on their vessel or by vessels they manage under the EFP by the effective date of the Final Rule authorizing DSBG. Documentation shall consist of a NMFS West Coast Observer Program record or a properly submitted NMFS DSBG logbook indicating either:
- the EFP holder as vessel captain for that fishing day; or
- fishing effort for that day was conducted on a vessel owned by or under the EFP managed by that individual.
- California General Swordfish permit holders who possessed a permit during the 2018-2019 fishing season and made at least one swordfish landing using harpoon gear between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 fishing seasons.
- California DGN Shark and Swordfish permit holders who have made at least one large-mesh DGN swordfish landing between the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 fishing seasons and who did not surrender their state or federal DGN permit as part of a trade-in or buy- back program.
- California DGN Shark and Swordfish permit holders who have not made a swordfish landing with large-mesh DGN gear since March 31, 2013 and who surrender their state or federal DGN permit as part of a permit trade-in or buy-back program.
- State or Federal DGN Limited Entry (LE) permit holders who have not made a swordfish landing with DGN gear since March 31, 2013 and did not surrender their DGN LE permit as part of a state or Federal DGN permit trade-in or buy-back program.
- Any individual with documented commercial swordfish fishing experience between January 1, 1986 and the effective date of the final rule on a first come first served basis. The basis for documenting commercial swordfish fishing experience attributable to the applicant will be possession of a valid commercial fishing license on that date and either:
- A valid California Department of Fish and Wildlife fish landing receipt identifying the individual as the fisherman of record; or
- A valid state or federal logbook where swordfish were taken and identifying the individual as captain or crew on that day; or
- A signed affidavit from a vessel owner or captain identifying the individual as vessel captain or crew on the day that swordfish were taken.
- Any individual on a first come first served basis.
Biennial Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
The Council approved the maximum fishing mortality threshold proxy and the second proxy proposed for minimum stock size threshold in Option 3 of NMFS Report 1 as applicable to status determinations for Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) yellowfin and bigeye tuna stocks based on the probabilistic framework in the 2020 benchmark assessments for those stocks as prepared by Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission scientific staff. Resulting status determination criteria indicate EPO yellowfin are likely not overfished or subject to overfishing, and EPO bigeye are likely not overfished or subject to overfishing.
Ecosystem Management
California Current Ecosystem and Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) Report and Science Review Topics
The Council endorsed Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) review of two ecosystem research topics: Threshold relationships between environmental drivers and performance of salmon preseason abundance forecasts and year-class strength and distribution of post-settled groundfish. The SSC Ecosystem Subcommittee will meet in conjunction with the September 2021 Council meeting to review the research, and the SSC will report to the Council on its recommendations in March 2022.
Climate and Communities Initiative Workshop Report
The Council adopted the Report on Regional Workshops focusing on the Implications of Climate Change for West Coast Fisheries and Fishing Communities and directed the Ad Hoc Climate and Communities Core Team to prepare a brief summary and synthesis report to the Council for its September 2021 meeting. The summary report should include consideration of the priority actions in the Report on Regional Workshops and recommendations on future related activities, which may be in the form of Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Initiatives. The Core Team will also conduct a workshop to brief Council advisory bodies on its synthesis report before the September 2021 Council meeting.
The Council also directed staff to draft a letter responding to NMFS’ call for information on climate-resilient fisheries per Section 206(c) in Executive Order 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (see Legislative Matters below).
Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Five-Year Review
The Council directed the Ad Hoc Ecosystem Workgroup (EWG) to prepare a final draft of the revised FEP for review by the Council at its September 2021 meeting. The EWG should also provide a complete draft of the stand-alone document, Guidance Document on Offshore Non-Fishing Activities. In doing so, the EWG should consider recommendations made by the Council and contained in advisory body reports for this agenda item and, as appropriate, note how those recommendations were addressed.
The Council directed the EWG to develop concepts for an “ecosystem-level performance report,” which would be a periodic reporting mechanism to track progress towards the goals and objectives listed in Chapter 1 of the revised FEP. These concepts could then form the basis for a candidate initiative that the Council would undertake at a future date.
Administrative Matters
Marine Planning Update
Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presented information on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, and representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) presented information on planning for offshore wind development. The Council expressed concerns about how data is being used, about ensuring accurate fisheries-related information, and discussed ways to engage with agency partners and address marine planning issues. The Council Executive Director and staff will continue regular communication with relevant agencies and other organizations and will ensure that Council advisory bodies are provided updated information regarding marine planning issues.
Legislative Matters
The Council approved the letter from the Council Coordinating Committee (CCC) on Executive Order (EO) 14008 section 216(a) detailing how the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and its implementation by the Regional Fishery Management Councils conserves and protects fishery and other living marine resources. The Council directed staff to draft a letter to the Secretary of the Interior for the April Briefing Book with additional examples from the Pacific Council. The Council also directed staff to draft a letter to NMFS focusing on Section 216(c) of the EO and describing Pacific Council actions that can help fisheries and protected resources be more resilient to climate change. Finally, the Council directed the Legislative Committee to meet at the April 2021 Council meeting.
Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures
The National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) has informed the Council that Sean Stanley, the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the West Coast Division will be replacing Mr. Killary as OLE’s alternate Enforcement Consultant. West Coast Division Assistant Director Greg Busch will remain as OLE’s primary Enforcement Consultant.
Dr. Michele Zwartjes was appointed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife position on the Groundfish Endangered Species Workgroup formerly held by Ms. Robin Bown.
Press release: Pacific Fishery Management Council releases alternatives for 2021 West Coast ocean salmon fisheries
Portland, Oregon—The Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted three alternatives for 2021 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for public review. The Council will make a final decision on salmon seasons at its meeting on April 6-9 and 12-15. Detailed information about season starting dates, areas open, and catch limits for the three alternatives are available on the Council’s website at www.pcouncil.org.
Forecasts for many Chinook and coho stocks have improved over last year; however, the Council is constrained by requirements to conserve Fraser River (Canada) Washington coastal and Puget Sound natural coho runs, lower Columbia River natural tule[1] fall Chinook, and Klamath River fall Chinook.
“Meeting our conservation and management objectives continues to be the highest priority for the Council,” said Council Executive Director Chuck Tracy. “Balancing those objectives while providing meaningful commercial and recreational seasons remains a challenge in 2021.”
Council Chair Marc Gorelnik said, “the Council is considering the needs of Southern Resident killer whales as part of its deliberations. We are also considering the need to rebuild some Chinook and coho stocks that have been designated as overfished.”
Washington and Northern Oregon (north of Cape Falcon)
Fisheries north of Cape Falcon (in northern Oregon) are limited by the need to constrain catch of lower Columbia River natural tule Chinook and Washington coast coho stocks of concern. Additionally, three coho salmon stocks remain categorized as “overfished” (Queets River, Strait of Juan de Fuca) or “not overfished/rebuilding” (Snohomish), which is also a concern when structuring 2021 fisheries.
Tribal ocean fisheries north of Cape Falcon
Tribal negotiations are underway, but at this time the Chinook and coho quotas for tribal ocean fishery alternatives range from 0 to 50,000 for Chinook salmon (compared to 35,000 in 2020), and from 0 to 35,000 coho (compared to 16,500 coho in 2020). Under the range of alternatives, seasons open May 1 and continue through September 15.
Commercial season alternatives
For the non-Indian ocean commercial fishery North of Cape Falcon, there are two alternatives with traditional seasons between May and September. Chinook quotas for all areas and times range from 25,000 to 32,000, compared to 27,460 in 2020. Coho quotas range from 4,800 to 14,400 marked coho, compared to 2,000 in 2020. The third alternative has the season closed in this area.
Sport season alternatives
For the ocean sport fishery north of Cape Falcon, there are two alternatives with Chinook recreational quotas ranging from 25,000 to 28,000, compared to 26,360 in 2020. For coho, recreational quotas range from 75,200 to 95,600 marked coho, compared to 26,500 in 2020. Starting dates range from June 14 to June 19, and in both alternatives recreational fisheries are scheduled to run through September. Chinook retention is allowed throughout the proposed seasons, but coho retention is limited in some of the alternatives. The third alternative has the season closed in this area.
Oregon (south of Cape Falcon) and California
Fisheries south of Cape Falcon are limited mainly by the low abundance forecast for Klamath River fall Chinook. Klamath River and Sacramento River fall Chinook contribute significantly to ocean harvest, and Klamath River fall Chinook are categorized as overfished. This year’s management alternatives are designed to provide fishing opportunity for the more abundant Sacramento River fall Chinook while reducing fishing impacts on Klamath River fall Chinook.
Commercial season alternatives
Commercial season alternatives south of Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain are open either beginning in late March or May through October, with closed periods in most months. A limited incidental hatchery coho season is also being considered.
The commercial alternatives in the Oregon Klamath Management Zone provide a range of Chinook only season alternatives opening from late March through May, and include quotas in June and July in two alternatives. All alternatives have the California Klamath Management Zone closed for the season.
Commercial seasons south of the California Klamath Management Zone vary considerably between the alternatives and management areas (Fort Bragg, San Francisco, and Monterey), but in general provide similar or reduced levels of opportunity compared to last year.
Sport season alternatives
Chinook fishing in the Tillamook, Newport, and Coos Bay areas all open March 15, with alternative 1 running continuously through October 31, similar to the 2020 season. Alternative 2 and 3 have varied closures to Chinook retention during August.
Oregon ocean recreational alternatives include mark-selective coho fishing seasons starting in early to late June and running through most of August south of Cape Falcon, with intermittent Chinook non-retention periods in specific areas. Quotas range from 110,000 to 120,000 marked coho (compared to 22,000 in 2020). In addition, non-mark-selective fisheries are proposed in all alternatives for the area between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain starting in September, with quotas ranging from 11,000 to 14,000 coho (compared to 3,000 in 2020).
The range of alternatives include proposed fisheries for the Klamath Management Zone in both California and Oregon with the majority of the fishing opportunity occurring June through August in Oregon and during July in California.
California ocean recreational alternatives for the Fort Bragg and San Francisco areas have reduced opportunity compared to 2020, whereas alternatives for the Monterey area have similar or increased opportunity. Seasons vary between management areas.
Management Objectives for Southern Resident Killer Whales
The Council has worked collaboratively with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to understand the effects of Council-area fisheries on Southern Resident killer whales, which are listed as endangered. Based in part on information provided by the Council’s ad-hoc Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup, NMFS provided guidance on the structure of the 2021 salmon fisheries to address the needs of the whales while providing salmon harvest opportunities. Chinook abundance is well above the level that would require additional fishery restrictions.
Management Process
The Council has scheduled one public hearing for each coastal state to hear comments on the alternatives. The hearings will occur online and are scheduled for Tuesday, March 23 (Washington and California) and Wednesday March 24 (Oregon). The public will also be able to comment on the alternatives during the April Council meeting. Materials and instructions for joining online Council meetings and hearings will be posted to the Council website.
The Council will consult with scientists, hear public comment, revise preliminary decisions, and choose a final alternative at its meeting via webinar April 6-9, and 12-15.
The Council will forward its final season recommendations to NMFS for its approval and implementation no later than May 16.
All Council meetings are open to the public.
Council Role
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3-200 miles offshore of the U.S. coastline. The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
[1] Tule Chinook generally spawn lower in the Columbia River than salmon that continue to migrate up the mainstem.
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Contact:
- Robin Ehlke, Salmon Staff Officer, robin.ehlke@noaa.gov
- Mike Burner, Deputy Director, mike.burner@noaa.gov
- Council Office 503-820-2280 (toll free: 1-866-806-7204)
On the Web
- Pacific Fishery Management Council (www.pcouncil.org)
- Draft alternatives for 2021 salmon management
- Final alternatives and analyses of the biological and socioeconomic impacts will be posted on this page on or about March 20 (look for 2021 Preseason Report II)
- Description of 2021 salmon management process
- Fact sheet: Salmon
- Fact sheet: Geography of Salmon
- Fact sheet: Common Terms Used in Salmon Management