The once-thriving salmon industry in California faced an unprecedented challenge in 2023, leading to a complete shutdown of the state’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon fishing seasons. This drastic measure was recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) due to alarmingly low population estimates of the Sacramento and Klamath river fall Chinook salmon.
Recognizing the severe economic and social impact of this closure, Governor Gavin Newsom swiftly requested a federal fishery disaster declaration. This plea was met with approval from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, signaling the start of federal aid to the affected communities. As a result, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated $20,625,729 for disaster relief.
To ensure these funds reach those in need effectively, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has crafted a draft spending plan for 2023, aptly named the Salmon Disaster Spend Plan. The CDFW’s plan aims to allocate the relief funding fairly among the fishing sectors, establishing qualifying criteria and individual payouts.
