Salmon Season Update (New Option)

Recreational Salmon Options Presented at PFMC - AMENDED

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EDIT: After the presentation of the SAS to the Council and public comment, the California DFG instructed that the three options be amended as follows. The STT and SAS will now get back to work, modeling these three options and reporting back to the Council.

The Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) has finalized the options to be presented to the full Council today. I think Paul Pierce is about to present the recreational options. Each management region has three options, which may overlap. Our relevant regions are Ft. Bragg (Horse Mtn. to Pt. Arena), San Francisco (Pt. Arena to Pigeon Pt.), and Monterey (Pigeon Pt. to U.S./Mexico border).

The 24" minimum is a result of NOAA guidance to protect the winter-run Chinook. It does not apply north of Pt. Arena or in the event of a two-month closure, as in Option 2 in San Francisco. Note that DFG has proposed a 24" minimum size in Option 1, although not necessary per NMFS.

Each option results in a different take under the mathematical model used by the Salmon Technical Team (STT). After hearing these options, as well as the options from the commercial sector, the Council, SAS and STT will work to refine three comprehensive options. One of those options will be selected at the April Council meeting.

Option 1 is a full recreational season. Option 2 has a two-month closure in all regions. Option 3 closes all regions.

Option 1
Ft. Bragg: April 3 through November 14, 24" minimum (was 20")
San Francisco: April 3 through November 14, 24" minimum
Monterey: April 3 through October 3, 24" minimum

Option 2
Ft. Bragg: April 3-30 and July 1 through November 14, 20" minimum (now closed in May & June and 20" minimum, same as SF)
San Francisco: April 3-30 and July 1 through November 14, 20" minimum
Monterey: April 3-30 and July 1 through October 3, 20" minimum (now closed in May & June and 20" minimum, same as SF)

Option 3
Ft. Bragg: Closed (was open except for June and eight days in July)
San Francisco: Closed (was open except for June and eight days in July)
Monterey: Closed (was open except for June and eight days in July)

Nice, the old.. "all", "some", and "nothing" options.  Doesn't sound like much thought went into developing these initial options.

Can these people make up their own minds??? 

Typical Govt. move 

"We have decided that we MIGHT listen to somethin that someone may have said and we will let you know when it's to late"