PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal officials are planning a few days of commercial salmon fishing off the California coast this year amid worries by commercial trollers and others they might endanger salmon runs that are already low.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council gave tentative approval Monday to an abbreviated trolling season. The California coast was closed to commercial and sport salmon fishing the last two years.
Commericial fishermen told the council that they wanted to return to the water, but they don’t want to hurt future runs in the Sacramento River Basin.
The plan will get formal approval Thursday. The plan includes full May to September seasons for the Oregon and Washington coasts, with restrictions on the catch.
