Recent years brought a sizeable dip in ocean Chinook salmon numbers out of California causing low returns throughout Oregon, according to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC).
This week, a meeting of the PFMC will decide whether to close fall Chinook salmon fishing in Oregon this summer.
Federal agencies, tribal members, state representatives, and members of the fishing community comprise the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The Council began a week-long meeting in California Monday to design a plan to protect this year's run of fall Chinook salmon.
"They look at the data, the reports from the scientists, and the estimates of what the salmon season is going to look like in terms of numbers of fish coming back and then they determine the best way to shape the fishing season," said Michael Milstein with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Council has eyes on fall Chinook due to drastically low returns from the Sacramento and Klamath rivers, attributed to California's water crisis.
Eric Schindler from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says drought and high water temperatures lead to high stress and disease for the fish and increased predation on juveniles.
He says the proposed ocean salmon seasons for both recreational and commercial fishing would be closed for any Chinook retention from Cape Falcon down to the US/Mexico border through at least August 31.
