Contact:

Neil Manji, DFG Fisheries Branch Chief, (916) 327-8840
Marija Vojkovich, DFG Representative to the Pacific Fishery Management Council, (805) 568-1246
DFG Office of Communications, (916) 322-8911

Ocean Salmon Season Setting Process Begins Estimates of 2008 Sacramento River Fall Chinook Escapement At All Time Low
Preliminary 2008 salmon data released today indicates a continued and significant reduction in the return size of Sacramento River fall Chinook stock. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) estimates that 66,200 Sacramento River fall Chinook adults returned in 2008 - the lowest recorded return since comprehensive monitoring of Central Valley hatchery and natural escapement began in the 1970s. An estimated 73 percent of these spawners returned to natural areas.

The salmon stock information was collected early February by DFG and was forwarded this week to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) to help the council begin its annual ocean salmon season setting process. The data focuses on the return of both Sacramento River fall Chinook and Klamath-Trinity River System fall Chinook salmon in 2008. Preliminary data indicates approximately that 31,000 adult fall Chinook returned to spawn in Klamath-Trinity River System natural areas during 2008, well below the 2008 management objective of 40,700 required by the PFMC.

DFG provides extensive information and scientific assistance on California salmon stocks annually to the PFMC for the evaluation and setting of ocean salmon seasons. The California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) uses this information for season-setting as well.

The 2009 ocean salmon season regulatory process includes public and scientific meetings starting in February and ending in April. The PFMC Salmon Technical Team is currently meeting in Portland to draft the "Preseason Report I-Stock Abundance Analysis for 2009 Ocean Salmon Fisheries" and to consider any other estimation or methodology issues pertinent to the 2009 ocean salmon fisheries. Stock assessments and ocean salmon seasons are critical to maintaining and meeting conservation goals.

In 2008, all ocean salmon seasons were closed for the first time in California history. The closure was enacted to protect Sacramento River fall Chinook stocks. These stocks are considered a primary driver of both commercial and recreational salmon fishing off the coast of California and most of Oregon. The PFMC and the FGC closed all ocean Chinook salmon fisheries in 2008, south of Cape Falcon, Oregon.

DFG will hold a public salmon information meeting March 3 in Santa Rosa to present information pertinent to California salmon fisheries and gather public input regarding the 2009 season.

The PFMC will conduct public hearings to receive comments on three proposed ocean salmon fishery management options scheduled to be adopted March 7-13 in Seattle. A PFMC public hearing will be held March 31 at 7 p.m. in Eureka at the Red Lion Hotel. The PFMC and FGC will adopt final 2009 ocean salmon regulations in April. For further information about the 2009 PFMC salmon management process, work sessions or hearings, please contact Mr. Chuck Tracy at (503) 820-2280 ext. 415, or toll free 1-866-806-7204.

For further information about salmon, the season-setting process for California inland waters and the 2008 salmon seasons' structures, please go to: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/salmon/#01.