PFMC Alternatives
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council has announced the three alternatives for the 2020 ocean salmon fishing regulations (link below). The South of Cape Falcon alternatives can be found on pages 4 and 5 of Table 2. Alternative 1 is best for the ODFW Central Zone southern anglers.
Rational:
Chinook Salmon are open from March 15 – October 31 in all three alternatives
Coho Salmon in Alternative 1 starts June 27th just prior to 4th of July weekend (good for coastal businesses) and provides the highest mark select (hatchery) quota. Unfortunately, the season will end on August 2, or earlier, if the quota is achieved. The same is true for Alternative 2, although some of the mark select fish are transferred to the non-mark select September season, and the season opens on August 28 instead of September 4th.
During summer months from Florence to Humbug Mountain anglers are fishing for South migrating Coho Salmon from the Columbia River. In September most of those fish have started their migration back to the Columbia River (great for Newport anglers). Because there are so few fish in the non-select season (Alternate 1, 3,000 vs alternative 2, 4,000) it will most likely be a one weekend fishing opportunity. Why should southern anglers give up select quota fish so northern anglers can catch more non-select fish?
Alternative 3 has no non-select season, and a slightly longer select season.
Alternative 1 is good for the Central Zone in general.
The PFMC will host a public meeting for comment on these alternatives at the Red Lion Motel in Coos Bay on Monday, March 23rd starting at 7:00 PM.
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