The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is currently reaching out to the public for their input on proposed ocean salmon fishery management options for 2025. These options are designed to respond to the projected increases in hatchery Chinook and coho salmon returning to the Columbia River, while still prioritizing the protection of natural-origin stocks. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), a collective that includes tribal, federal, and state bodies, has endorsed three different management scenarios for consideration.
WDFW's Fish Program director, Kelly Cunningham, highlighted the significance of the proposals, saying, "With the range of ocean fishery options set, Washington state fishery managers can start working on interior Puget Sound salmon fisheries." He added that stakeholders are invited "to join us and share input at the upcoming North of Falcon meeting in Olympia on March 19, when we'll present management objectives and proposed fishery plans for Puget Sound," according to a statement released by the WDFW.
These options vary in terms of quotas and guidelines for both Chinook and marked coho salmon. For example, under the first option for 2025 fisheries off the Washington coast, quotas are set at 122,500 Chinook and 120,000 marked coho. Meanwhile, the second option lowers the quota to 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho, and the third option further reduces it to 92,500 Chinook and 85,000 marked coho. Specific areas, like Neah Bay and La Push, would be open seven days per week with designated quotas and Chinook guidelines tailored to each location. The PFMC's decisions will be crucial in finalizing the comprehensive salmon-fishing package for 2025, which also includes marine and freshwater fisheries throughout Washington.
For those eager to take part in the North of Falcon public process, the WDFW has offered multiple avenues for engagement. Comments can be submitted on potential fisheries via the WDFW’s North of Falcon public input webpage, and virtual meetings, with state fishery managers, will also take place during the second PFMC meeting in San Jose. These sessions provide a venue for more detailed discussion on specific seasons and fisheries. Overall, fishery managers will utilize public feedback on these options to broker a final arrangement among the representatives of states and tribes at the PFMC. This consensus will then be formalized at the PFMC's April meeting in San Jose, California.
The entire process is transparent, with opportunities to participate outlined on the North of Falcon overview page. Interested parties can also follow updates on the Salmon Fishing Current blog, which is maintained regularly throughout the season-setting process. The WDFW remains committed to balancing the need for sustainable fishery practices with the provisions of recreational and commercial opportunities. They work diligently to not only protect the fish and ecosystems but ensure the community has a voice in the management of these vital resources.
