Subject: Salmon Opener for 2010 Re: Salmon season From: Chuck Tracy <Chuck.Tracy@noaa.gov> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:46:31 -0800 To: Tom Dolan <tom@montereybaycharters.com> Hi Tom: There is a tentative opening on April 3 south of Horse Mt.; however, that could be modified at the Council's March 6-11 meeting in Sacramento, depending on the forecast for 2010 returns. The Council develops salmon seasons (May 1- April 30) during its March and April meetings based on abundance forecasts, which will be made in about two weeks. Early season openers for the following year (prior to May 1) are set with the understanding that they may need to be modified once the forecasts for that year are made. Forecasts are made as soon as possible, when all the spawning escapement, and catch information from the previous year are added up. We recognize that this results in some short notice closures at times and makes planning difficult for businesses, but the alternative is to eliminate the possibility of early season openers to ensure there will be enough fish returning the following year to meet our conservation objectives. I guess the bottom line is that the April 3 opener is scheduled, but it could be delayed or eliminated based on what occurs at the March Council meeting. Our regulations are posted on our website at: http://www.pcouncil.org/salmon/salcurr.html#salmon_adopted09 I agree that they only refer to 2009 when in fact they include the early 2010 openers as well; I'll be sure and correct that in the future. Thanks. On 2/3/2010 5:53 AM, Tom Dolan wrote: > I run a charter out of Santa Cruz and fish the Monterey Bay. > > Like a lot of other businesses I have to plan the Spring & Summer fishing season so I can hire hands, purchase equipment and set up a budget for the season. > > I cannot find anywhere on your website that there will be or there will not be a salmon fishing season for us. CA DFG does in fact state there is a season opener on April 3rd. > > Please tell me if we should plan on fishing for salmon this upcoming season. A lot of people and effort depends on this. > > Thank you, > > Tom Dolan > > > > > -- Chuck Tracy Pacific Fishery Management Council 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101 Portland, Oregon 97220-1384 Voice 503-820-2280 Toll Free 866-806-7204 FAX 503-820-2299 e-mail Chuck.Tracy@noaa.gov URL www.pcouncil.org <")\}}}}>< <")\}}}}>< <")\}}}}>< <")\}}}}>< Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.