Just in — The vote has been taken — No salmon and halibut limit reduced to two in CenCal and NorCal ....

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#1
Just in —
Recreational Ocean, In-River Salmon Fisheries in California to Close for Remainder of 2023

Emergency California Halibut Regulations Adopted
to Protect Ocean Fishery


The California Fish and Game Commission acted unanimously to enact a full closure of California’s recreational salmon fishing season in the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley rivers through its annual process for adjusting seasons and bag limits on Tuesday, May 17, 2023.

In a separate emergency action, the Commission voted to close recreational salmon fisheries in the Smith River and Eel River, and the summer season in the Klamath and Trinity rivers. Additionally, in the same emergency action, the Commission voted to allow federally recognized tribes that currently or historically used the river segments affected by the recreational fishing closures, to continue fishing under existing inland sport fishing regulations. The regulations are expected to take effect no later than July 1, 2023, following approval by the Office of Administrative Law.

The Commission’s actions on salmon follow the recommended closure of both commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries off the California coast by the Pacific Fishery Management Council due to projections showing Chinook salmon abundance at historic lows. Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1.95, ocean salmon sport fishing regulations in state waters automatically conform to federal regulations unless the Commission deliberately takes a different action. Federal regulations for ocean salmon fisheries were published in 88 FR 30235 on May 11, 2023, and went into effect as of May 16, 2023.

Recognizing the importance of salmon to California’s commercial, charter and inland guide businesses, Gov. Gavin Newsom last month submitted a request to the U. S. Secretary of Commerce asking for a Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration. If approved, the declaration would begin the process of providing needed relief to businesses and fishing communities financially impacted by the salmon fishing closure.

“This decision, while difficult, is intended to allow salmon to recover in order to provide future fishing opportunities,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Salmon are an iconic species in California. We treasure them for their intrinsic, cultural, recreational and commercial values. The state is committed to ensuring long-term survival of our salmon runs and supporting our struggling fishing communities.”

Prolonged drought, severe wildfires and associated impacts to spawning and rearing habitat, harmful algal blooms and ocean forage shifts have combined to result in some of the lowest stock abundance forecasts on record for California’s Chinook salmon. The low ocean abundance forecasts, coupled with low 2022 returns, led the Commission to recommend closure of California’s in-river recreational salmon fisheries, which include the Klamath and Trinity rivers within the Klamath Basin, the Sacramento, Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers in the Central Valley, the Smith River and the Eel River. Gov. Newsom’s request for a Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration is the first step in the process that may lead to federal financial assistance to affected businesses and fishing communities.

In another emergency action, the Commission voted unanimously to reduce the daily bag and possession limit for California halibut from three fish to two fish in California waters north of Point Sur, Monterey County. The regulations are expected to take effect June 1, 2023. The reduced California halibut limit is designed to protect the resource amid increased recreational fishing pressure due to limited fishing opportunities and changes in other ocean fisheries including salmon. The Pacific halibut fishery is unaffected by the Commission’s action; the daily bag and possession limit for Pacific halibut remains one fish with no size limit.

For more information visit:

California Fish and Game Commission: fgc.ca.gov Pacific Fishery Management Council: pcouncil.org
Federal fisheries disaster funding: fisheries.noaa.gov


 

Skyhook

Active Member
#3
In another emergency action, the Commission voted unanimously to reduce the daily bag and possession limit for California halibut from three fish to two fish in California waters north of Point Sur, Monterey County. The regulations are expected to take effect June 1, 2023.
That's really good news, Ken! I'm glad the process worked. At the time of the Halibut Fishery Webinar, I had doubts that the input of recreational anglers and their suggestions would really be taken seriously. I'm glad I participated. And I'm sure that many of the PFIC members are happy about the positive outcome.
 
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beutelevision

Guest
#4
That's really good news, Ken! I'm glad the process worked. At the time of the Halibut Fishery Webinar, I had doubts that the input recreational anglers and their suggestions would really be taken seriously. I'm glad I participated. And I'm sure that many of the PFIC members are happy about the positive outcome.
Yes I agree this is a positive outcome. Hopefully the halibut numbers in the Bay don't dip too low in the coming years. And I'm sure the salmon will rebound in 3 years with this year's spawn. I'll be interested to see what happens in the ocean to the food web with the upcoming El Niño though.
 

Red Fish

Senior Member
#6
  • Glad you posted the information for the general public as that is something PFIC has always done alone with annual closures in the San Francisco Bay for perch, sturgeon, and salmon. People at local piers have already been discussing and spreading the news of the June 1st reduction of California halibut in Central and Northern California from (3) fish to (2) fish. I was wondering if the Southern California limit is still (5) daily as I never hear anyone on here talking about it and Snookie is the only one I have ever heard about catching (5) keepers a day for a single angler on her boat in Newport Beach?
  • Ken, in over (50) years of fishing the East and Northbay of San Francisco, I have rarely seen anyone from pier/shore catch a (3) fish limit of halibut. And, I have seen people skunk on a party boat on halibut or many get (1) fish a day. Only the most skilled have gone home with a legitimate (3) fish limit many times buying a scoop of anchovies from J&P or the K-Dock which you couldn't do from shore (30) or more years ago.
  • The impact of PBers/6 packs/Party boats is undeniable, thus regulation. And, I fish, someone that had thought about being an LEA for DF&W years ago and perhaps a future 6packer. Regulation is the only way, period; the only way the resource will be sustainable. Anyone who has had the inclination to do a modicum of study will realize that in the history of the Ca, Oregon, Washington fisheries, there have been closures and complete moratoriums of fisheries due to commercial overfishing with no limitations. Sturgeon and cow shark fisheries come to mind.
  • Finally, legislation is the way to bring about change, and you see it has been enacted. Enforcement comes next. I won't complain about DF&W LEA's ...because, they have come when called upon. Matter of fact, Hans Jones called about a crab poacher at Berkeley Pier years ago and they showed up and did more than their job (that's another story).
  • People complaining about their (DF&W) job, or the job you don't think they are doing, do your part to stop illegal take of species at your spot if you are really concerned about it. Keep everyone honest out there. Talk to your fellow anglers if you are going to fish there a lot. And, believe me, Bill, if I was still fishing at Paradise, I would clean that place up like Matt Dillion in Dodge City. I know all the Rangers like Ranger Kevin and I would bring it to their attention, have them go down there and tell them to cut it out, and then step it up from there. If nothing more, because the space could be used to accommodate more anglers if for no other reason than they are fishing too many rods. Now, if they actually have kids that are sitting there and they put in more rods Bill, that is a technicality (I know there are times when they do not).
  • I've fished Berkeley Pier the majority of my years almost exclusively, a half-mile pier. Many times, you had enough real estate (space) to not even know what your neighbor is doing (in their backyard) unless you really wanted to mind their business. If someone really wanted to do their part, go ahead, but do too much and put your safety in jeopardy. Know where you are. At somewhere like Paradise Pier, step up in a professional manner because the community there will support you (like a school district in that location). If you are somewhere out of your element, where the culture is different, you better come with street tactics of getting things done (meaning you better implement another type of diplomacy).
  • Okay, go out and catch (a) halibut and have some fun! Lol
 
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Skyhook

Active Member
#8
The impact of PBers/6 packs/Party boats is undeniable, thus regulation.
It was interesting listening to some of the public comments during the halibut segment of the Commission Meeting posted on Youtube, particularly the party boat skippers. All agreed that a reduction was long overdue.

But each also mentioned their concern about any push toward an adjustment to the halibut size limit.

They felt that any change in the size regs (I'm not sure if they were referring to a slot limit or moving the minimum size limit up or even having a max size limit) would be a disaster for the fishery.

Another concern brought up by Sport Fishing operators was the proliforation of vessels on the Bay that have commercial fishing licenses. From what I understand certain licenses are easy to get and are inexpensive, allowing a wide range of vessels, including kayaks, to fish with multiple rods. I think one of the skippers called them "John Doe" licenses?
 
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