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State wildlife officials Wednesday delayed reopening recreational salmon fishing in Sacramento Valley rivers, saying they need more time to consider options.
The California Fish and Game Commission agreed to postpone the decision so state fisheries experts can consider input from anglers.
Fishing for the fall-run chinook salmon has been banned since 2007 to help the species recover from a sharp population decline.
Anglers in the American, Feather and Sacramento rivers may harvest no more than 8,200 fall-run salmon this year, a quota set April 15 by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The commission is charged with adopting rules to satisfy the quota, with advice from the state Department of Fish and Game. But the department had little time to prepare its recommendation before Wednesday's commission meeting, said Fisheries Branch Chief Neil Manji.
In the initial option detailed Tuesday in The Bee, the department proposed about one month of salmon fishing on each of the rivers at different times of year.
Anglers responded, however, that the Feather River option might result in too many salmon being harvested and proposed limiting access to a smaller area. Others want more fishing opportunity upstream of the Red Bluff Diversion Dam on the Sacramento River.
Ron LaForce, president of United Outdoorsmen, also said he would prefer a one-salmon catch limit rather than the two-fish limit proposed by the department.
"We have a limited number of fish," he said. "We have to distribute those fish so everyone can have an opportunity."
The commission also delayed a controversial plan to expand black bear hunting in California.
In a letter to the commission Tuesday, Fish and Game Director John McCamman wrote that, "with available resources," the department has been unable to finish a required environmental impact report on the bear hunting plan.
The proposal essentially would permit unlimited bear hunting statewide by eliminating a cap that currently allows no more than 1,700 bears to be killed annually.
Hunting and environmental groups both supported the delay, saying it is vital to complete a thorough environmental study before proceeding.
The salmon and bear rules will both be discussed further at the commission's May 5 meeting in Stockton.
More...
The California Fish and Game Commission agreed to postpone the decision so state fisheries experts can consider input from anglers.
Fishing for the fall-run chinook salmon has been banned since 2007 to help the species recover from a sharp population decline.
Anglers in the American, Feather and Sacramento rivers may harvest no more than 8,200 fall-run salmon this year, a quota set April 15 by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The commission is charged with adopting rules to satisfy the quota, with advice from the state Department of Fish and Game. But the department had little time to prepare its recommendation before Wednesday's commission meeting, said Fisheries Branch Chief Neil Manji.
In the initial option detailed Tuesday in The Bee, the department proposed about one month of salmon fishing on each of the rivers at different times of year.
Anglers responded, however, that the Feather River option might result in too many salmon being harvested and proposed limiting access to a smaller area. Others want more fishing opportunity upstream of the Red Bluff Diversion Dam on the Sacramento River.
Ron LaForce, president of United Outdoorsmen, also said he would prefer a one-salmon catch limit rather than the two-fish limit proposed by the department.
"We have a limited number of fish," he said. "We have to distribute those fish so everyone can have an opportunity."
The commission also delayed a controversial plan to expand black bear hunting in California.
In a letter to the commission Tuesday, Fish and Game Director John McCamman wrote that, "with available resources," the department has been unable to finish a required environmental impact report on the bear hunting plan.
The proposal essentially would permit unlimited bear hunting statewide by eliminating a cap that currently allows no more than 1,700 bears to be killed annually.
Hunting and environmental groups both supported the delay, saying it is vital to complete a thorough environmental study before proceeding.
The salmon and bear rules will both be discussed further at the commission's May 5 meeting in Stockton.
More...
