Why is it so complicated to set a simple salmon season?
The life cycle of salmon is complex which makes setting a fishing season complex. Salmon are affected by a wide variety of factors in the ocean, rivers and streams, including ocean and climatic conditions, dams, habitat loss, urbanization, agricultural and logging practices, water diversion, and predators (including humans). Since salmon migrate long distances in the ocean, managing the ocean salmon fisheries is an extremely complicated task. Different stocks of salmon mix at different times and locations further complicating management issues. Federal legislation enables the Pacific Fishery Management Council to address fisheries management issues and recommend seasons to the National Marine Fisheries Service. This year ocean salmon seasons are drastically reduced off the California coast to protect the Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon. These fish make up the bulk of salmon caught off the California and Southern Oregon coast and need protection based on low returns of adult salmon
