April 4, 2023 — Recent years brought a sizeable dip in ocean Chinook salmon numbers out of California causing low returns throughout Oregon, according to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC).
This week, a meeting of the PFMC will decide whether to close fall Chinook salmon fishing in Oregon this summer.
Federal agencies, tribal members, state representatives, and members of the fishing community comprise the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The Council began a week-long meeting in California Monday to design a plan to protect this year’s run of fall Chinook salmon.
“They look at the data, the reports from the scientists, and the estimates of what the salmon season is going to look like in terms of numbers of fish coming back and then they determine the best way to shape the fishing season,” said Michael Milstein with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).