SACRAMENTO, Calif.– May 1 marks the opening day of the California commercial salmon fishing season, which continues through October 12.
“California king salmon are back,” says Aaron Newman, Chairman of the California Salmon Council. He adds, “California has traditionally been the leading producing state for troll-caught (hook-and-line) wild king salmon along the Pacific Coast. We’re projecting to catch 3 million pounds this season, which is considerably up from last year. In 2011, fishermen caught 988,000 pounds of wild California King Salmon® and 228,000 pounds in 2010 when the season was dramatically reduced to only eight days, as opposed to 2004 when they caught 6.2 million pounds. That was the last full season before the salmon population started to decline.”
David Goldenberg, Chief Executive Officer of the California Salmon Council says, “Commercial salmon fishing was disrupted beginning in 2006 when the fishery collapsed due to water diversions in 2002 on the Klamath River which resulted in the loss of Klamath spawning fish. A second and more devastating loss occurred in 2007 and 2008 when the abundant Sacramento River, or Central Valley stocks, were lost to changes in the ocean conditions when juvenile fish were migrating from fresh water.”
At that time krill, or tiny shrimp, were not available in sufficient quantities to nourish the “baby” salmon. The end result was the loss of two successive years of these baby salmon. The compounded loss from the 2006 Klamath disaster and the loss of two brood years on Central Valley stocks resulted in a complete closure of the fishery in 2008 and 2009 and extremely limited seasons in 2010 and 2011. Newman says, “As an industry, salmon fishermen were economically harmed by six years of closures or limited fishing opportunities. The coastal economies and infrastructure which rely on fishing were also hard hit.” He adds, “We want Californians to know that commercial fishermen are passionate environmentalists.” Fishermen abide by regulations designed to ensure there will be a sustainable supplies of these fish now, and in the future. As part of their commercial license, fishermen contribute into a fund, which is used to enhance restoration of rivers and streambeds to improve natural spawning opportunities for these prized fish.
Newman wants consumers to know that not all salmon are alike. He explains, “Salmon species vary on where they’re caught, and whether they’re from the ocean or farm-raised. California salmon, or Chinooks, are called ‘kings’ because they are regarded as the most prized, as well as the largest of the five species of Pacific salmon.”
Newman adds, “Consumers should ask for California King Salmon, which is fresher, because they are caught locally off California’s coastline. King salmon have a higher oil content that adds to their natural robust flavor and deep coloring, a favorite among professional chefs.” Retail prices may average a little higher this year over farmed salmon, due to the high fuel costs for the boats and an increased demand for these seasonal fish.
For information or recipes, visit www.calkingsalmon.org.
Additional Information This year’s season is looking brighter, with a May 1 opener from San Francisco south to the Mexican border. The season is set to open in areas up and down the coast to avoid impacting Klamath stocks, which traditionally have been limited. “The good news,” says Newman, “is that salmon from the American and Sacramento River System are rebuilding and, this year fishery managers are predicting strong returns which translates into a more robust season, the likes we haven’t seen in seven years.”
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC), a regulatory body that manages the Pacific fishing season, found that less restrictions were needed this year because Central Valley and Klamath River stocks rebounded last year. As a consequence the fishing season allows for increased harvests of the prized California kings. Klamath stocks are avoided to provide for a level of protection in accordance with PFMC regulations. Because fish from all river systems commingle in the ocean, it is not possible to selectively harvest one fish from another, therefore the regulations are set to move the fleet to times and areas which meet management objectives.
Nutrition studies have found that eating fish, such as salmon, once a week reduces the risk of cardiac arrest, as well as to increase cognitive function and to reduce depression. Ocean-caught California King salmon have higher levels of the naturally occurring Omega-3 fatty acids that offer these heart protective attributes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently acknowledged that wild California King salmon have 29.4% more omega-3 fatty acids than previously reported.
Visit the California Salmon Council website at www.calkingsalmon.org for more information and recipes for California King salmon.
Source: California Salmon Council
