Calif. salmon season reopens, but commercial fleet faces uncertainty
For the first time in four years, California’s salmon fishery is set to reopen this spring– offering a long-awaited opportunity for commercial fishermen who have weathered consecutive closures tied to historically low stock levels. The commercial season, shuttered since 2023, is expected to open in mid-May, with final dates and regulations to be determined in April by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). … According to the Calif. Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), salmon populations have more than doubled compared to last year, enough to support both recreational and commercial fisheries in 2026. … But for working fishermen, a limited and highly managed season raised concerns about economic viability.
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