Species |
Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (other species – see below – fished to the North) |
Life history (biology, habitat, range) |
Also known as the king salmon, spring salmon, or tyee salmon; Chinook are most abundant and commercially fished salmon in California
Historically 4 runs varying by run timing (return to freshwater habitats to spawn): spring, fall, late fall, and winter runs
Anadromous: hatch in freshwater streams and rivers; rear in freshwater streams, rivers, and estuaries; migrate to the ocean for feeding and growth, and then return to natal waters to spawn after 2-6 years in ocean water (average size and age of returning spawners have decreased)
Spawn in rivers, mostly located in Northern California (watersheds of the Sacramento and San Joquin rivers), although some young salmon have been observed as far south as the Ventura River in Southern California
Semelparous: Die after spawning
Spawning: In temperature less that 56 degrees Fahrenheit; clean water, suitable gravel riffles, eggs hatch after 50-60 days; smolts migrate to ocean water |
Stock assessment status |
Spring run, winter run highly depleted (listed as endangered species); late fall run extirpated; robust fall run supplemented by hatchery production.
Several factors have contributed to population decline in Central Valley: most spawning habitat destroyed by dams; hundreds of unscreened irrigation diversions in the Sacramento Valley; poor or lost gravel deposition in salmon spawning and rearing areas; pollution; loss of floodplain and riparian habitat; aberrant river flow fluctuations/ elevated temperatures.
Abundance seems to be related to both freshwater habitat conditions and ocean productivity status.
For web access: http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Salmon_Preseason_Rpt_I_FEBRUARY_2010.pdf |
Vulnerability |
Survival depends on the quantity and quality of freshwater spawning and rearing habitat, as well as on ocean productivity
Dams and other diversion structures block access and flood prime spawning habitat, impede the upstream passage of adults, confound salmon migration cues
Chinook populations have disappeared from large areas where they used to flourish, and several evolutionary significant units (ESUs) have been listed or proposed for listing as at-risk for extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
For web access: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA-Salmon-Listings/Salmon-Populations/Chinook/Index.cfm |
Protected/declared species interactions |
Prey species of California sea lion |
Gear types |
Trolls - average 4-6 main trolling lines on a boat |
Gear specifications |
Hook and line may only be used under the authority of a commercial fishing license and commercial fishing salmon stamp
Salmon or shad nets may not be used or possessed upstream from the Carquinez Bridge
Gill nets may not be used to take salmon |
Historic gear (and why discontinued if applicable) |
American Indians fished salmon since before European explorers arrived to the Northwest in 1775. Traditional Indian fishing methods included gill and clip nets, fishing spears, and communal fishing clans.
Commercial salmon fishing in California began in early 1850s, in conjunction to the rise of the mining industry, and included the use of very large “fish wheels”, water powered rotating nets, smaller versions of which are still in use today in Alaska.
Commercial ocean troll fishery began in Monterey Bay during 1880s. |
Associated conservation concerns |
Trolls appear to have minimal habitat impacts; some hooking mortality concerns associated with certain types of hooks; interception of endangered winter run during fishery targeting fall run |
Management, commercial |
Jurisdiction(s) |
Pacific Fishery Management Council (commercial and sport fisheries in federal waters)
California Department of Fish and Game (commercial fisheries in state waters, delegated by Legislature)
California Fish and Game Commission (inland sport and ocean sport fisheries in state waters) |
FMP |
Federal Salmon FMP (PFMC manages) http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/fmpthrua14.pdf
Two important goals of the FMP are: (1) Spawner escapement goal and (2) Allocation of the harvest among different groups of fishers – commercial recreational, tribal, various ports, ocean, and inland
PFMC Habitat Steering Committee also implements Essential Fish Habitat provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, requiring federal agencies to respond to fish habitat concerns articulated by the PFMC and NOAA-Fisheries. |
Code sections |
FGC §§ 2361, 7625, 7852, 7860, 8210.1, 8217, 8226, 8232, 8235, 8247, 8670, 8685.5-7 |
Restricted access |
2008 salmon commercial fishing season is closed, aimed at conserving Sacramento River Fall-Run Chinook salmon.
Commercial vessel permit, transferable upon approval
No new permits available for 2008-2009 season |
TAC |
Fishery closed for 2008
Average landings weight of 4,487,550 lbs. (1997-2007)
Escapement goal for California Chinook = 122,000 – 180,000 per year |
Current seasons, size limits, other restrictions |
2008 season closed
Seasons shaped to meet escapement goals for all ESUs and runs and to minimize bycatch of endangered salmon runs
Regulations are published by NMFS Northwest Region in May each year
Undersized salmon may not be possessed or landed (previous years, commercial fishery minimum size has been around 26 inches)
Salmon of smaller sizes that can be legally taken under regulation of either the PFMC or state of landing may not be imported into California |
Fishery closures/ MPAs |
All Marine Conservation Areas, except Greyhound Rock, Point Lobos, Point Sur, Big Creek, Piedras Blancas, and Point Buchon |
Proposed regulations |
Review and analysis of 2008 season closure pending |
Recreational component |
Large rec fishery; Ocean sport fishing became popular with development of commercial passenger fishing vessel industry
Approximately 90,000 Chinook caught by anglers in 2006 |
Code sections |
14 CCR §§ 6.00-13.95 (Chapter 3), 27.75, 27.80 and FGC §§ 7925, 8232.5 |
Regulations |
2008 season closed
Limit of 2 salmon per day
Minimum sizes: N of Horse Mountain, 24” and S of Horse Mountain 20”
Mooching: In September 1997, all sport anglers mooching with bait were required to use circular hooks to reduce hooking mortality of undersized salmon.
Commercial passenger fishing vessels taking salmon or having salmon on board north of Point Arguello are also required to have a commercial fishing salmon stamp for the operator and an additional stamp for each crewmember required on board; not required to have a commercial fishing salmon stamp when operating a CPFV if the vessel also has a commercial salmon vessel permit.
Salmon can also be taken for sport purposes on a permitted salmon vessel in the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) when the vessel is used for sport purposes while the commercial salmon season is closed or 24 hours after the commercial season closes in the KMZ. The KMZ is defined as that area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Horse Mountain, California. Fort Bragg is not part of the KMZ. |
Social context |
Participation statewide |
Salmon vessel permit: 1,359 issued in 2007
Commercial salmon stamp: 2,174 issued in 2007
Drastic reduction in active commercial fleet size known anecdotally – need data
Any commercial salmon vessel owners who are 70 years or over are not required to have a commercial fishing salmon stamp or purchase a personal commercial fishing license if they do not intend to fish in that season
Salmon are an important source of physical and spiritual sustenance for northwest Indian tribes |
Participation by area |
Salmon fishing has been important for most northern California coastal communities from Avila/Morro Bay and north |
Fishing and trade organizations |
California Salmon Council http://www.calkingsalmon.org/ |
Seafood industry context |
Product forms |
Fresh or frozen |
Seafood selector status |
Good alternative |
MSC certification status |
N/A |
Potential for value added |
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Miscellaneous |
Other salmon species |
Coho or silver salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch: observed in small numbers in California but are presently under a no-retention catch policy
Pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha: landed occasionally in odd-numbered years
Sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchu neda: No fisheries exist for this species due to limited numbers in Cali waters
Chum salmon, Oncorhynchu kelez: No fisheries exist for this species due to limited numbers in Cali waters
Steelhead, Oncorhynchu mkyss: Caught recreationally in streams and rivers from the Central Valley north to the California-Oregon border
Cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii: Small numbers found in northern coastal streams, lagoons, and estuaries |
Annual Economic value |
Commercial salmon fishery: From 1996 to 2000 ranged from $7.7 million to $20.9 million
Recreational salmon fishery: From 1996 to 2000 ranged from $13.9 million to 22.5 million dollars |
Terrestrial Conservation efforts |
Central Valley Improvement Act of 1992: Required a program designed to double natural production of anadromous fish in Central Valley streams
CALFED Bay-Delta Program: Instituted in 1995 by federal and California government; addressed environmental and water management problems and developed a long-term plan for the Bay-Delta system
Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions by NMFS set benchmarks other federal agencies must meet to avoid harm to salmon
Essential Fish Habitat provisions of the Sustainable Fishery Act: Federal agencies must consult NMFS before they authorize, fund, or implement an action which might adversely affect salmon |
Sources |
DFG Marine Region webpage. Accessed 06/18/08. Salmon Fishery Changes: News and FAQ. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/salmon/
DFG Marine Region 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. Salmon
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/salmonids_overview.pdf http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/pacific_salmon.pdf |
