What laws guide salmon fishery management?
Chinook salmon fisheries are managed using an open, public process that is directed by several federal and state laws. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, a federal regulation that governs ocean fisheries in U.S. waters (3-200 miles, the Economic Exclusive Zone), was first adopted in 1976. This law required the development of a “Salmon Fishery Management Plan” based on the best available science, and established the Pacific Fishery Management Council – a coast-wide representative group that helps guide ocean fishery management decisions. In addition to off-shore ocean fishery regulations, there is a public process for developing near-shore ocean and in-river salmon fishery laws. The California Fish and Game Commission is a representative group appointed by the Governor that is responsible for managing all in-river fisheries, as well as fisheries from California’s ocean shoreline out to 3 miles.
