California’s commercial salmon fishing season has been canceled for the third consecutive year, marking an unprecedented halt in the state’s salmon industry.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) voted on April 15, 2025, to extend the closure through the end of the year, citing critically low numbers of fall-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River.
The PFMC also recommended limited recreational ocean salmon fishing, allowing for brief windows of opportunity in June, July, and August, with strict quotas and guidelines to prevent overharvesting, according to KSBW.
The decision underscores the ongoing challenges facing California’s salmon populations, which prolonged drought, climate disruption, poor spawning conditions, wildfires, algal blooms, habitat loss, ocean forage changes, and thiamine deficiency have severely impacted.
“Salmon populations are still recovering from severe drought and other climate challenges and have not yet benefited from our consecutive years of wet winters and other actions taken to boost populations,” said Charlton H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The economic impact on the commercial fishing industry is significant, as fishermen face a third year without income from salmon fishing. According to AP News, some have turned to alternative sources of income, such as whale-watching tours and sea burials, to stay afloat.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is expected to adopt PFMC’s recommendations in May. The California Fish and Game Commission will discuss inland salmon fisheries during its April 16-17 meeting, with final action anticipated at its May 14 meeting.
As the state grapples with the ecological crisis facing its salmon population, the future of the state’s commercial salmon industry remains uncertain. Stakeholders continue to advocate for sustainable water management policies and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term viability of this resource.
