March 16, 2023 11:10 a.m.

With severely low forecasted returns of California Chinook salmon, both California and Oregon ocean Chinook commercial and recreational fisheries are impacted.

A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said coho are a bright spot again for Oregon, and the state is expecting another good run and fishing seasons like last year.

Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service cancelled the spring 2023 commercial ocean troll salmon fishery from Cape Falcon to the California border. They also cancelled the spring recreational ocean fishery through May 15th from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. This decision was made in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the states of Oregon and California.

ODFW’s ocean salmon project leader Eric Shindler said with California salmon forecasts so low, impacts to those critical Chinook stocks need to be kept low.

The PFMC currently is developing summer salmon seasons to be decided by April 7th. Those decisions will be sent to the U.S. Department of Commerce for final approval by May 15th.