OUTDOOR NOTES : Commission to Hear Public on Salmon

California’s commercial salmon fishermen were hit hard last week when federal regulators announced restrictions so severe that some said they amounted to “a virtual closure” of the season.

Now, those involved in the recreational end of the industry are waiting for the findings of a special hearing by the state Fish and Game Commission on Thursday in Sacramento to see if they will have any season at all.

During its meetings last week, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, which imposed a tight quota for commercial fishermen and a ban on commercial fishing from Mendocino County to central Oregon, announced a quota of 39,600 fish for recreational fishermen and a near-total closure from Point Arena to Point San Pedro for the month of June, when it is believed the fishery is hit hardest.

Thursday’s hearing, scheduled a week after the PFMC’s, is to consider a total ban on sport fishing for salmon in all rivers and streams, and in the ocean to three miles offshore, which basically would amount to a closure.

“The specific purpose of this (meeting) is to consider shutting the world down,” said Roger Thomas, president of the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Assn. and operator of a San Francisco Bay Area fishing vessel.

The commission has the right, under the Magneson Act, to adopt regulations that are more restrictive than federal guidelines in all waters to three miles offshore. Such a move would be designed to protect Chinook (or king) salmon from the Klamath River stock, the primary target of the commercial and recreational fishermen. The salmon’s numbers are far below historical levels.

Thomas’ sentiments echo those of thousands of salmon fishermen, and others involved in the industry throughout the northern part of the state, who believe they are being punished for problems caused primarily by the damming and diversions of rivers, drought and the destruction of salmon habitat by agricultural interests.

All sides will be represented at the hearing, which probably will make for a long day.

“That’s the only way you’re going to solve the problem: to get everybody to the same table and talk,” said Robert Treanor, executive director of the commission. “My intention and the commission’s intention is not to allow this to degrade into a name-calling, stone-throwing type forum, but to try to focus on what the problems are.”

Treanor said there is no prevailing attitude one way or another within the commission, but added: “The commissioners are aware that the sportsmen are not the cause of the (salmon) decline, but they’re concerned that the resource may be so low that they may have to take some action to reduce any take at all, and that’s what this meeting is all about.”

Thursday’s hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Building 8 at 714 P Street in Sacramento, with public testimony being heard from about 3:15-5:30 p.m.

Briefly

SALTWATER--Temperatures remain one to four degrees above normal, because of a strengthening El Nino. As a result, fish are showing where they normally don’t and earlier than usual elsewhere. The Salty Lady, fishing for salmon out of San Francisco Bay, included eight barracuda in its count. In Southland waters, bonito, bass and barracuda continue to keep at least some of the fleet busy on the surface.

Cabo San Lucas: Striped marlin are plentiful but not very active. Live bait is a must. Dorado of 20 to 30 pounds are providing most of the action. Dana Russell ran into a school of giant yellowfin tuna last week about 30 miles out, catching one at 145 pounds and losing two at an estimated 200 pounds apiece.

East Cape: Blue marlin are being caught unusually early, though they are few and far between. Del Mar’s Steve Oxberry, according to reports out of Hotel Palmas de Cortez, caught a 540-pound blue marlin, which, when brought to the surface, had a two-foot dorado in its mouth. Dorado, tuna and striped marlin are showing regularly at the scales.

La Paz: Large yellowtail and pargo are the primary targets, according to reports from the Mosquito Fleet. John Robbs of Downey and George Uzzo of Torrance took three yellowtail in the 40-pound class, according to Mosquito-operator Paul Beechly.

MISCELLANY--Pacific Fisherman magazine and Ronnie Kovach’s Fishing Expeditions are offering a four-part seminar series Friday, 5-10 p.m., at the Holiday Inn in Huntington Beach. Instructors are Russ Izor, Butch Chapman, Ray Lawry and Mike Gardner. Details: (714) 840-6555.