The final ruling to shut it for the entire 2008 season will be decided next month.
Officials shut salmon fishing in seven coastal areas of California, Oregon
By Matt Weiser - mweiser@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wildlife officials moved Wednesday for early closure of seven coastal salmon fishing zones in California and Oregon, a sign of dire conditions facing the Central Valley chinook.
The action came in a conference between fisheries managers gathered in Sacramento for a series of meetings by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
Officials representing California, Oregon and the federal government opted to close the seven zones to protect salmon that remain alive in the ocean.
They decided early closures are needed because the council won't make a final ruling on the 2008 salmon season until mid-April, and seasons that normally open before then could jeopardize the species.
Commercial and sport fishing are affected, from Oregon's Cape Falcon to the Mexican border.
The California Central Valley fall chinook salmon, a normally robust run that underpins the fishery in both states, is in steep decline.
Last year's run was the second-lowest in 35 years of record-keeping; this year is likely to be worse.
